Discusses the legal requirements/options for joint venture/licensing in this market.
Last Published: 12/10/2018

Bangladeshi businesses are eager to collaborate with foreign partners, and the Government of Bangladesh has significantly improved conditions for joint ventures in recent years.  Local businesses are particularly receptive to joint ventures in which the foreign partner provides foreign exchange capital, equipment, technology, and expertise, and the local partner provides land, real estate, and knowledge of the domestic market.  Ventures with 100 percent foreign ownership are also permitted, but they may encounter greater operational difficulties than those with some local ownership.

Any foreign firm incorporated outside of Bangladesh must be registered in Bangladesh in order to carry out business.  Business firms are incorporated and registered under the provisions of the Companies Act of 1994.  Foreign investors normally form corporations in Bangladesh.  Two broad categories of corporations exist: public and private.  Companies of either type may be limited or unlimited.  The liability of the shareholders of a limited company is restricted to the amount of share capital subscribed by them or held in their name.  The liability of the shareholders of an unlimited company is not as restricted.

For step-by-step procedures for establishing businesses, including joint ventures, in Bangladesh, please visit The BIDA website.
If a foreign company wishes to invest in an industrial project (manufacturing unit) in Bangladesh, then additional guidelines also apply. 

Please visit the following links for more information:
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) – Download Forms
BIDA – Step by Step Procedure
BIDA – Industrial Land
BIDA – Utility Connections
BIDA – Business Licenses
BIDA – Business Laws

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) also provides online business services starting from business registration, registration tracking services, visa invitation letters, branch/liaison representative services, work permits and other related services. 
 

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