Bida expands one-stop service with 11 new institutions

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) yesterday signed memorandums of understanding with 11 institutions to bring them under its one-stop service (OSS) portal, expanding access to investment-related services through a single digital platform.

With the latest additions, the total number of institutions integrated with the OSS portal has risen to 52. The newly joined entities include four commercial banks -- Rupali Bank PLC, Dhaka Bank PLC, Bank Asia PLC, and Bengal Commercial Bank PLC -- and seven city corporations: Rajshahi, Khulna, Mymensingh, Barishal, Cumilla, Gazipur, and Narayanganj.

Under the agreements, these institutions will connect their services to the OSS portal, enabling local and foreign investors to complete key procedures such as opening bank accounts, obtaining trade licences, and securing city corporation permits online through one platform.

Bida launched the OSS portal in February 2019 following the enactment of the One Stop Service Act, 2018, and the OSS (Bida) Rules, 2020

The signing ceremony was held at Bida’s headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Bida Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, speaking as the chief guest, said the aim was to build a seamless digital system where entrepreneurs of all sizes could access all necessary government services with a single login.

He stressed the importance of strong data integration among government agencies, pointing out that developed economies have simplified investment processes by eliminating the need for businesses to submit the same information repeatedly to different offices.

“Digital transformation takes time, and full integration will not happen overnight,” Chowdhury said. “But we are committed to this journey. Our focus is not only on launching systems, but also on ensuring they are used effectively by identifying user challenges, taking feedback, and continuously improving services.”

He also congratulated the newly added institutions and thanked Bida officials for their efforts in implementing the OSS platform, calling it a key step towards creating a more investor-friendly regulatory environment.

Bida launched the OSS portal in February 2019 following the enactment of the One Stop Service Act, 2018, and the OSS (Bida) Rules, 2020. 

The platform was designed to bring major investment-related services from different government agencies under a single system.

Currently, the OSS portal offers 142 services from 47 agencies, and more than 215,000 investor applications have been processed. Bida expects additional agencies to join the platform in the coming months.

The programme was presided over by Bida Executive Member Md Shaharul Huda. Director General Jibon Krishna Saha Roy presented the features and performance of the OSS portal, while Deputy Director Abu Mohammad Nurul Hayat Totul moderated the event.