FROM PAGE B1

“We’ve studied what went wrong with the previous merger,” said Rochi. “This time, we’re following a phased and consultative approach with international expertise and political buy-in.”

CONCERNS AND POTENTIALS

Policy experts say the new merger can succeed only if it goes beyond institutional restructuring.

“This reform has potential,” said M Masrur Reaz, chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. “But execution, not intent, will determine its impact. Merging logos is easy. Building a better system is hard.”

He noted that agencies such as Beza and the hi-tech park authority manage land and infrastructure projects that require technical expertise beyond traditional investment promotion. Similarly, merging the PPP Authority could complicate project structuring, which involves financial and legal modelling skills.

Still, many in the private sector view the plan as a much-needed attempt to simplify the country’s business climate.

“Bringing all investment and regulatory agencies under one roof will enhance efficiency, reduce duplication, lower compliance costs, ensure accountability and improve transparency,” said Asif Ibrahim, former BUILD chairman.

“A cohesive branding strategy,” he added, “would strengthen Bangladesh’s global investment image, attract higher-quality FDI, and help build a more agile, transparent, and competitive investment ecosystem for sustainable growth.”

With the national elections approaching, many questions linger about the reform’s political continuity. Bida officials say the plan has been shared with all major parties and discussed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

“We have soft alignment across the board,” said Rochi, adding that if executed well, the unified body might even facilitate investment in state-owned enterprises and underperforming sectors such as jute, sugar, tourism, and entertainment.

“We’re piloting models to bring in private and foreign investment into these areas,” he said. “Local reinvestment is also showing promising signs.”