The number of One-Person Company (OPC) registrations is on the rise in Bangladesh.
In FY26, 818 such companies were registered, representing a 235% increase compared to the previous fiscal.
In the first three months of the current FY27, an additional 376 companies have been registered.
However, the mandatory requirement of a minimum paid-up capital of Tk25 lakh is keeping many small entrepreneurs out of this structure.
Relevant officials and experts note that OPCs were introduced with the goals of easing business operations for sole entrepreneurs, bringing informal businesses into the formal economy, and boosting local and foreign investment.
Yet, high capital conditions and administrative complexities are limiting the potential of this initiative.
According to data from the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC), 124 OPCs were registered in FY22, followed by 140 in FY23, 139 in FY24, and 244 in FY25.
That figure rose significantly to 818 in FY26.
During the July–September period of the current fiscal, 376 companies were registered.
The registration count for these three months alone is nearly 54% higher than that of the entire FY25.
In total, the number of OPC registrations in the country reached 1,841 as of September of the current fiscal year.
An RJSC official stated that the condition of having a minimum paid-up capital of Tk25 lakh is a major hurdle for entrepreneurs wishing to register an OPC.
Private limited companies with multiple owners face no such minimum capital obligation, whereas it remains mandatory for sole-proprietor companies.
He added that this capital disparity discourages micro-entrepreneurs and sole founders from forming an OPC.
To address this issue, the relevant ministry and the registrar's office have initiated efforts to amend the minimum paid-up capital provision.
One of the key objectives of launching OPCs was to attract foreign direct investment and simplify the process of starting a business.
However, procedural hurdles such as opening bank accounts, bringing capital into the country, and obtaining required approvals remain significant barriers for foreign entrepreneurs.
According to experts, alongside relaxing capital requirements, it is essential to simplify the registration process and raise awareness among entrepreneurs about OPC-related laws and regulations.
Otherwise, despite the increase in registrations, the full potential of this corporate structure to engage small entrepreneurs and draw investment will remain unfulfilled.
