Published: 01:51 AM, 19 October 2026
Govt plans single online portal for trade licences to cut business costs
The government plans to introduce a unified online portal for issuing trade licences and a coordinated inspection system to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, lower business costs and create a more investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh.
Under the proposed digital platform, entrepreneurs will be able to apply for trade licences, submit required documents and pay prescribed fees through a single online system, eliminating the need to visit multiple government offices to complete the licensing process.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced the initiatives on Saturday at the first meeting of the National Task Force on Deregulation and Business Facilitation, held at the Finance Division's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury chaired the meeting, which reviewed progress on measures to reduce the cost of doing business, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and facilitate domestic and foreign investment.
Muktadir said trade licences are currently issued through separate systems operated by union parishads, municipalities and city corporations, creating administrative complexities for entrepreneurs.
Bringing the licensing process under a unified online portal would simplify procedures, reduce delays and ease the compliance burden on businesses, he said.
The government is also considering extending the validity of trade licences and replacing the existing arrangement with a **Business Registration Certificate**, or a similar instrument, to make registration more convenient and reduce repetitive administrative procedures.
The proposed reforms are part of broader efforts to make public services more accessible to businesses while improving efficiency and coordination among government agencies.
The commerce minister also called for simplifying the renewal of work permits and security clearances for foreign nationals employed in Bangladesh.
He said foreign employees generally work for legally registered businesses that pay taxes and operate under the responsibility of Bangladeshi directors or managing directors. Unnecessary complications in renewing security clearances, despite companies submitting the required applications and supporting documents, should be avoided, he added.
Muktadir urged the relevant authorities to coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to make the renewal process more transparent, predictable and efficient.
The meeting also discussed introducing a coordinated inspection system under the leadership of Invest Bangladesh to prevent different government agencies from repeatedly inspecting the same business establishments.
Under the proposed arrangement, inspections covering building safety, fire safety and environmental compliance would be conducted jointly on scheduled dates rather than through separate visits by individual agencies.
Representatives of the relevant regulatory bodies and Invest Bangladesh would participate in the inspections. The initiative is expected to reduce duplication, save entrepreneurs' time and money, and minimise administrative harassment without compromising regulatory compliance.
The task force identified five priority sectors for initial action to simplify business- and investment-related approvals, permits and licences. Existing barriers in these sectors will be reviewed, and approval procedures streamlined before the initiative is gradually expanded to other areas.
The commerce minister stressed the importance of eliminating unnecessary restrictions, reducing delays in administrative decisions and strengthening coordination across government institutions.
He called on relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in public services for investors and businesses.
The meeting brought together several senior policymakers and officials, including Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, and Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury.
The chairmen of the National Board of Revenue and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission also attended, alongside the secretaries of the Finance Division and the Ministry of Shipping, the president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the registrar of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, and other senior officials.
The meeting underscored the government's focus on administrative reform, digitalisation and inter-agency coordination to make business services faster, simpler and more accessible.
If implemented effectively, the proposed measures could reduce the time and costs associated with routine regulatory requirements, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs navigating multiple layers of government administration.
