Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government is working to create a business-friendly environment where everyone can operate smoothly and generate employment opportunities.
Addressing lawmakers during the question-and-answer session on the fourth day of the second session and first budget session of the 13th National Parliament, he said efforts were underway to ensure that businesses of all types—traders and industrialists alike—can operate in a supportive environment.
“Such facilities will be created for everyone where they can conduct business smoothly and create employment opportunities. We are trying to prepare this year’s budget in that way,” he said.
He added that the government has taken steps to simplify the investment process to attract both domestic and foreign investors, with several measures already implemented by the Ministry of Commerce.
The session, which began at 3pm on Wednesday (June 10), was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom.
Responding to a question from Comilla-10 MP Md Mobasher Alam, the prime minister said the country’s economic system had been severely damaged due to corruption and money laundering, particularly after what he described as the fall of authoritarian rule.
“The question you have asked is very important,” he said. “We have seen how the economic system has been damaged through corruption and money laundering. To rebuild the country, we must restore economic discipline and create a business-friendly environment.”
He noted that the upcoming budget—his government’s first since taking office following the February 12, 2026 election—would focus on facilitating business activity and job creation.
In outlining reforms, the prime minister said the government has already begun digitizing import and export registration through the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, enabling faster online processing.
He said the export policy has been updated, while the Import Policy Order 2026–2029 is being revised to further ease market access for foreign investors.
He also announced measures to remove non-tariff barriers in export-oriented imports and expand Free of Charge (FOC) facilities for both bonded and non-bonded institutions.
Payment systems for imports are being simplified, and all importers will be allowed to operate through contract-based arrangements without letters of credit (LCs), regardless of value limits, he added.
Trade facilitation reforms are also being implemented in line with World Trade Organization agreements to ensure faster and more transparent trade processes.
The prime minister said the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is carrying out policy and institutional reforms aimed at improving the investment climate and accelerating industrialization.
He highlighted plans to merge key investment-related agencies—BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority—into a single integrated platform to streamline services and reduce duplication.
He said the government has strengthened inter-agency coordination through regular meetings among relevant bodies.
In particular, monthly meetings between BIDA and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) are reviewing tax-related and policy issues faced by investors.
Regular consultations with domestic and foreign investors, business organizations, and industry stakeholders have also been expanded to better reflect private sector feedback in policymaking.
On capital repatriation, he said reforms are being finalized to simplify procedures for transferring investment and earnings abroad after share sales, business transfers, or closures.
A national committee under Bangladesh Bank has reviewed existing processes and proposed reforms to make valuation, verification, and approval procedures faster, more transparent, and predictable, he said.
The government is also undertaking major reforms to simplify licensing and approvals through a digital single-window platform integrating all investment-related services.
To address confusion among investors, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has launched the “Banglabiz” platform, which allows entrepreneurs to access and apply for government services, registrations, and licences in one place.
He said the initiative would reduce manual processing, ensure 100 percent online services, and introduce time-bound service delivery.
The prime minister added that the government is also prioritizing infrastructure development to improve logistics efficiency and boost trade capacity.
He said steps are being taken to modernize ports and transport infrastructure, expand economic zones, and reduce costs and time in international trade.
The Laldia Terminal is being prepared to begin operations this year, while the Bay Terminal project is advancing rapidly.
Construction of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port is also progressing, he said, adding that once completed, it will allow large vessels to dock directly in Bangladesh, significantly boosting foreign trade capacity.