BIDA, BEZA, PPPA merged as 'Invest Bangladesh' begins operations

The government has officially launched Invest Bangladesh, a new investment promotion authority formed by merging the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA).

The government issued a gazette on Thursday (August 20), bringing the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 into effect from August 20.

The notification was signed by Prime Minister's Principal Secretary A B M Abdus Sattar on behalf of the President.

Under the new law, the three agencies will operate under the single name Invest Bangladesh, creating a unified platform for investment-related services.

The authority's full organisational structure is yet to be completed. Wings and teams will be formed and other administrative arrangements will be finalised gradually, said Nahian Rahman Rochi, former executive member and head of business development at BIDA.

He said all activities of the three merged agencies would now be carried out under the Invest Bangladesh name following the gazette’s issuance.

The merger is aimed at creating a one-stop investment service platform. Investors previously had to approach multiple agencies for different investment-related services, while the new authority is expected to provide more coordinated and streamlined support through a single front desk.

Under the law, Invest Bangladesh will operate as a statutory body with its headquarters in Dhaka. With government approval, it may establish offices in different parts of the country as well as liaison offices abroad.

The authority will have an eight-member structure, including a chairman who will also serve as its chief executive.

Its responsibilities will include identifying potential investment sectors, promoting Bangladesh to domestic and foreign investors, removing investment barriers and coordinating with relevant government ministries and agencies. It will also work to improve the delivery of services to investors.

As part of the merger, the assets, records, contracts, liabilities and other administrative matters of BIDA, BEZA and PPPA will be transferred to Invest Bangladesh. Existing employees of the three agencies will also serve under the new authority.

The gazette marks the formal completion of the merger process and the beginning of operations of the country's new unified investment promotion body.