BIDA plans API-driven integration to simplify approvals and improve investor experience
Digital Shift Targets Faster Investment Services
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority plans to redesign its investment service framework by integrating government agencies through APIs and accelerating approval processes. The authority is also prioritising domestic investment amid global economic uncertainty.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) says the country’s existing One Stop Service framework has not yet achieved its intended operational effectiveness for investors. According to Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, institutional fragmentation remains a major challenge in delivering a truly unified service experience.
On 19 June, Thursday, speaking at a workshop titled “Investment Flows and Investment Facilitation” in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said the current model is being redesigned to connect ministries and public agencies through API-based integration rather than transferring service ownership to a single authority.
Under the proposed approach, investors would submit applications through one digital gateway while approvals would continue to be issued by the responsible agencies.
Referring to international digital governance practices, including Singapore’s model, he said reducing dependency on manual applications remains essential to improving transparency and service efficiency.
BIDA also acknowledged structural barriers in Bangladesh’s investment climate, particularly delays in licensing and regulatory approvals. The authority expects digital transformation to significantly shorten approval timelines over the coming months.
On infrastructure readiness, he noted that industrial expansion and large-scale investment depend heavily on energy capacity and supporting logistics. Existing infrastructure constraints may require additional development before accommodating new demand.
Addressing the broader investment outlook, he said geopolitical tensions, volatility in energy markets and global economic uncertainty have slowed foreign direct investment flows worldwide. In response, Bangladesh is increasing focus on domestic investment and exploring productive use of underutilised state-owned assets.
He added that investors place greater value on policy predictability and implementation consistency than on incentive packages alone, highlighting execution as a key factor for sustaining long-term investment growth.
//DBTech/BNO/IH//
