BIDA and Ministry of Home Affairs Strengthen Coordination on Investment Facilitation and Security Services

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has held a high-level sensitization session with the Ministry of Home Affairs and key security agencies to strengthen coordination in investment facilitation and security management for foreign professionals in Bangladesh.

The event, held at BIDA’s Multipurpose Hall in Agargaon’s Biniyog Bhaban, was chaired by BIDA Executive Chairman Mr. Ashik Chowdhury and organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Transforming Economic Governance through Public Private Partnerships (TEPP-II) project.

Strengthening collaboration for investor convenience

In his opening remarks, Mr. Ashik Chowdhury emphasized the deepening partnership between BIDA and the Ministry of Home Affairs, describing it as a shared commitment to creating an efficient, transparent, and investor-friendly environment in Bangladesh.

“Our partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs has come a long way, as we share a joint responsibility to ensure a welcoming and enabling environment for foreigners who choose to invest and work in Bangladesh,” Mr. Chowdhury said.
He added, “We have already digitalized a major part of the work permit ecosystem, including BIDA’s work permit services and the Ministry’s security clearance. We are now actively working to digitalize the visa application process in collaboration with the Department of Immigration.”

Mr. Chowdhury also underscored the importance of uniformity across institutions involved in investment facilitation.
“When an investor applies for a work permit, there should be no unreasonable disparity between procedures at BIDA, BEZA, or other investment promotion agencies,” he noted.

Ministry of Home Affairs highlights digital transition

Md. Delwar Hossain, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, praised the progress made through collaboration with BIDA.
“With close collaboration with BIDA, we have successfully moved security clearance processes entirely online. We are now working to transition passport and related services to a fully digital platform as well,” he said.

Field-level engagement and feedback

Md. Ariful Haque, BIDA Director General (International Investment Promotion Wing), called on field-level officers and officials to share their practical experiences and challenges regularly. “Continuous feedback from the field is essential to guide future reforms and ensure that our service delivery systems remain responsive and efficient,” he emphasized.

Fully online security clearance from October 2025

As part of ongoing reforms, the security clearance process for new work permits issued by BIDA became fully online starting 1 October 2025.
Foreign investors and expatriate employees are now required to submit their applications exclusively through BIDA’s One Stop Service (OSS) Portal at https://bidaquickserv.org/Under the new system, once an application is submitted with all required documents, and no objection is raised within 21 working days, the clearance will be automatically considered granted.

Failure to submit the security clearance application within the stipulated time frame specified in the work permit will result in the permit being rendered invalid.

Ongoing institutional coordination

BIDA continues to maintain close coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to simplify procedures, ensure greater transparency, and enhance service delivery for both foreign and domestic investors.

The sensitization session marks another step forward in the government’s commitment to streamline the investment environment, reduce bureaucratic delays, and promote Bangladesh as a trusted global investment destination.