Cabinet Approves Solar and Procurement Laws

Bangladesh’s Cabinet has approved a series of major proposals covering the expansion of special solar power installations, reforms to public procurement, and legal cooperation with Hong Kong in investigating money laundering and other international crimes. The Cabinet also approved the public holiday calendar for 2027, with 29 scheduled holidays, including seven that fall on weekly holidays. As a result, the number of effective public holidays will be 22.

The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Monday, 2 November. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani disclosed the decisions at a press briefing held in the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat on Monday evening. The Cabinet Division also issued a press release outlining the proposals.

Draft Special Solar Power Installation Act approved

The Cabinet has given policy and final approval to the draft Special Solar Power Installation Act, 2026, aimed at accelerating the expansion of special solar power installation projects.

The draft was submitted by the Power Division. According to the Cabinet Division’s statement, the government has already issued the Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance, 2026, to facilitate the rapid expansion of these projects.

The ordinance was promulgated under Article 93(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh. Under Article 93(2), an ordinance issued under this provision must be placed before the first session of Parliament held after its promulgation. The draft legislation was therefore placed before the Cabinet to convert the ordinance into an Act through Parliament.

The Cabinet granted final approval to the draft, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. The approval advances the process of establishing a statutory framework for the special solar power installation initiative.

Second amendment to public procurement law approved

The Cabinet also granted policy and final approval to the draft Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Act, 2026, based on a proposal from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).

According to the Cabinet Division, the Public Procurement Act, 2006, which provides the principal legal framework for government procurement, has undergone six rounds of amendments to strengthen transparency, accountability, equal treatment and open competition. The latest amendment was made through the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, issued on 21 September 2026.

The proposed changes seek to protect domestic industries and encourage greater competition in public procurement. They include special provisions for new, micro and small businesses, women bidders and disadvantaged bidders.

Other proposed measures include modernising procedures under the open tendering method, expanding the use of the limited tendering method to promote a more equitable distribution of resources, clarifying provisions related to professional misconduct, and introducing alternative procurement arrangements for urgent state requirements.

The Cabinet Division said the ordinance must be presented as a bill at the next session of Parliament to convert it into law, in accordance with Article 93(2) of the Constitution.

The draft Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Act, 2026, has been published on the websites of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) and IMED to seek public feedback. The Cabinet granted final approval, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

Bangladesh to have 22 effective public holidays in 2027

The Cabinet approved a total of 29 public holidays for 2027, comprising 15 general holidays and 14 holidays through executive orders. Seven of those holidays will coincide with Fridays and Saturdays, leaving 22 effective public holidays.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said the 15 general holidays would cover national days and major religious festivals observed by different communities. Four of these holidays will fall on weekly holidays—two Fridays and two Saturdays.

The 14 holidays through executive orders will cover the Bengali New Year and various important religious festivals. Three of these will coincide with weekly holidays—one Friday and two Saturdays.

Government employees will also be allowed to take up to three optional holidays a year for religious observances according to their respective faiths.

In addition, government employees from ethnic minority communities working in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and other parts of the country will be entitled to two optional holidays to celebrate their principal social festivals, including Baisabi or similar cultural occasions.

Hong Kong agreement to support criminal investigations

The Cabinet approved a mutual legal assistance agreement with Hong Kong to strengthen cooperation in tackling money laundering and other international crimes.

The agreement is titled Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani clarified that the agreement is not an arrangement for prisoner exchange or the extradition of criminals. Instead, it is intended to facilitate legal assistance and cooperation in criminal investigations.

He said Bangladesh would be able to seek legal assistance from Hong Kong if a Bangladeshi accused of committing a crime fled there or was residing in the territory. The agreement is expected to be particularly useful in investigating and combating money laundering and other forms of international crime.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China with a distinct judicial system and law enforcement procedures. For this reason, Bangladesh is pursuing a separate agreement with Hong Kong alongside its arrangements with China. The agreement is expected to create opportunities for information exchange and mutual assistance in criminal investigations.

Prime Minister calls for stronger earthquake preparedness

Earlier on Monday morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed relevant authorities to strengthen preparedness against potential earthquakes, identify vulnerable buildings and improve emergency rescue capabilities.

The directives were issued at a meeting on earthquake preparedness and response at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat. Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu later briefed the media on the meeting.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for a coordinated action plan to protect public safety in earthquake-prone areas, including Dhaka. He called for identifying old and vulnerable buildings and ensuring compliance with the National Building Code in construction.

He said effective coordination among relevant ministries, local government institutions, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Fire Service and other emergency response agencies was essential to reducing casualties and damage during natural disasters.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the safety of critical facilities, including hospitals and educational institutions; the availability of adequate rescue equipment; specialised training for rescue personnel; and greater public awareness of earthquake risks and safety measures.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Riyazul Islam Riju, and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.
//DBTech/IQB/SME/MIST//