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BUILD (Business Initiative Leading Development)

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BUILD (Business Initiative Leading Development)

Official page of BUILD It is now a registered entity under Deed of Trusts signed in 2013.
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BUILD stands for Business Initiative Leading Development working as a national Public Private Dialogue (PPD) platform for an exchange of actionable ideas between the public and private sector through research, dialogue and advocacy. BUILD facilitates structured dialogues between the public and the private sectors under an institutional framework for bringing reforms in business policies and proce

dures to improve the country's investment climate in Bangladesh. BUILD has been playing as a strategic partner and recognized as the primary source of recommendations for meetings of the Private Sector Development Working Committee (PSD PCC), established at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It is a joint initiative of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and established in 2011.

27/05/2026

Eid Mubarak to all our partners, stakeholders, and well wishers!

24/05/2026

Turning Tannery Waste into Wealth: Stakeholders Push for Circular Economy Solutions in Bangladesh

On May 19, 2026, BUILD, with support from The Asia Foundation (TAF), hosted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Tannery Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery in Bangladesh” under the project “Waste into Resource: TSW Byproduct Entrepreneurship Model.”

The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, SMEs, and environmental experts to address the critical challenges and massive economic opportunities in transforming tannery solid waste (TSW) into value-added resources.

Key Insights from the Discussion:

1. Unlocking Export Value: Relocating to Savar has not yet yielded full benefits due to environmental non-compliance, which prevents exporters from securing premium global prices.

2. Import Substitution Potential: Bangladesh generates 73,000–90,000 tons of TSW annually. While roughly 50% is currently dumped untreated, this waste could be processed locally to manufacture high-value items like poultry feed, gelatin, bio-diesel, glue, and leather board, drastically cutting down import reliance.

3. Supply Chain Bottlenecks: TSW entrepreneurs face raw material scarcity, high costs due to informal middlemen, a lack of dedicated industrial plots, and administrative complications arising from shifting management from BSCIC to BEZA.

4. The Call for Action: Stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for formal policy recognition, dedicated land allocation for small TSW industries, smoother supply chain discipline, and accelerated ex*****on of the Savar CETP's second phase to secure LWG certification.

By bridging infrastructure and policy gaps, Bangladesh can turn environmental hazards into an organized, profitable circular economy that drives export diversification.

Foundation

19/05/2026

National Budget: Driving Economic Expansion Through Investment Incentives

As Bangladesh navigates complex domestic and external economic pressures, the upcoming national budget must transcend conventional frameworks. It needs to be dynamic, innovative, and deeply reform-oriented to restore investor confidence and stimulate long-term private sector growth.

Our Chairperson, Abul Kasem Khan, outlines BUILD's core recommendations for a growth-oriented budget centered on 5 key strategic priorities:

1️⃣ Investment Incentives: Attracting local and foreign investment through targeted fiscal incentives, proactive tax facilitation, and improving the overall ease of doing business.

2️⃣ Macroeconomic Stability: Restoring balance and bringing strong fiscal discipline through effective, sustainable measures and alternate financial mechanisms.

3️⃣ Business & Job Creation: Fostering grassroots entrepreneurship, expanding existing industries, and creating quality employment opportunities across high-potential sectors.

4️⃣ Innovation & Competitiveness: Promoting technology adoption, innovation, and productivity growth to enhance Bangladesh's positioning in highly competitive global markets.

5️⃣ Policy Consistency & Predictability: Ensuring long-term regulatory predictability to give investors the stable landscape they need for capital commitment.

🏛️ On the Regulatory Front: BUILD strongly advocates for aggressive deregulation—rationalizing, consolidating, or eliminating overlapping trade licenses, permits, and redundant regulatory requirements. Replacing excessive regulation with an efficient, business-friendly framework is critical to reducing the cost of doing business and encouraging formalization.

"A forward-looking budget today is the foundation for a stronger, more competitive, and sustainable tomorrow."

13/05/2026

Ease of Business Entry is the Priority of the Government: Commerce Minister at Call-on Meeting with BUILD Delegation

In a call-on meeting with a Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) delegation, on May 12, 2026, Mr. Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Honorable Minister of Commerce, informed that a series of sweeping regulatory reforms is aimed at reducing the cost of doing and ease of business and accelerating the transition toward a trillion-dollar economy.

Hon’ble Minister of Commerce said, ‘The government is committed to simplifying the start-up process for entrepreneurs, including company formation processes to be faster and easier. For major licenses such as, including Fire, DIFE, the government is thinking to make it easier by issuing a provisional license until final licenses process is completed within 12 months. This would allow implementation of business without unnecessary delays.

Regarding the expansion of Bonded Warehouse facilities, any sector that presents a viable proposal is invited to come forward. He said that government is also eager to work with BUILD on the development of Jute sector and in that respect Jute Pulp from green jute could be an option.

Furthermore, he informed that plans are progressing to make investment friendly business climate by bringing investment agencies under a single entity to streamline the investment ecosystem. The concern regarding private sector representation in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) has also been noted for further review.’

Abul Kasem Khan, Chairperson, BUILD, said, ‘Deregulation is the most effective tool for controlling the grey economy and bringing more businesses into the formal sector. The current trade license system remains a major barrier for new entrepreneurs, and a transition toward a ‘One License’ system is necessary to foster innovation. To further support youth-led ventures, he proposed a five-year tax exemption for young entrepreneurs.

Additionally, he informed that BUILD is in active conversation with the PMO regarding critical logistics reforms and will present these ideas to the Prime Minister shortly. He noted that BUILD is planning to hold a ‘Policy Summit’ at the end of this year to define the private sector's requirements for the next decade to achieve a trillion-dollar economy.’

Kamran T. Rahman, Trustee, BUILD, and, President, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said that ‘the jute sector remains a pillar of the national economy but requires urgent modernization. Modern technology must be integrated into the jute sector to improve efficiency and value addition, ensuring it remains a profitable and sustainable industry in the years ahead.’

Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO, BUILD, emphasized on product traceability. According to her, ensuring product traceability is no longer optional in the global market; it has become a mandatory requirement for maintaining access to international supply chains, particularly in the EU. A robust National Traceability Strategy is essential to ensure transparency and compliance with evolving global sustainability standards, which directly impacts the competitiveness of our exports.

Furthermore, she informed that to support local industries, Geographical Indication (GI) products should be leveraged as a way to promote the ‘One Village, One Product’ initiative.

She raised the concern that the manufacturing industry currently requires up to 23 different licenses to operate. This burden on the business community must be minimized to maintain a competitive industrial edge.

11/05/2026

High-Level Delegation from BUILD Meets Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

On May 7, 2026, a high-level delegation from BUILD, led by Chairperson Mr. Abul Kasem Khan, met with Mr. A B M Abdus Sattar, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The meeting focused on pivotal structural reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and enhancing Bangladesh’s economic competitiveness. Key discussion points included:

1. Revitalizing the PSDPCC: The Principal Secretary reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC) as a vital platform for interministerial coordination. A meeting of the PSDPCC is scheduled to be convened in July 2026.

2. Logistics Advancement: BUILD handed over a draft Concept Note for the proposed National Logistics Development Authority (NLDA) under the PMO to address challenges arising from LDC graduation.

3. Ease of Doing Business: The delegation advocated for the simplification of trade licensing procedures—specifically for SMEs—and the effective implementation of five-year license renewals at the local government level.

4. Energy & Reform: Discussions also covered policy reforms for land use to support commercial solar power projects and BUILD’s impressive track record of 476 implemented policy reforms to date.

We remain dedicated to fostering a robust public-private dialogue to drive sustainable economic growth in Bangladesh.

13/04/2026

আমাদের সকল সহযোগী, অংশীজন ও শুভাকাঙ্খীকে বাংলা নববর্ষের শুভেচ্ছা। নতুন বছর সবার জন্য বয়ে আনুক উন্নতি ও সমৃদ্ধি।

05/04/2026

On March 12, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), in collaboration with GIZ and BUILD, convened the first meeting of the Policy Coordination Unit (PCU) to address the urgent need for a National Traceability Strategy. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export), MoC.

The meeting focused on preparing Bangladesh for the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which shifts market requirements from voluntary standards to legally binding transparency.

Key Highlights:

1. Economic Impact: Research by BUILD warns that failing to comply with ESPR could put $0.36 billion to $1.20 billion in annual export revenue at risk.
2. The Digital Product Passport (DPP): Compliance will require a "Digital Product Passport" containing detailed data on carbon footprints and material composition.
3. Readiness Gaps: 62 gaps were identified across compliance domains, with 15 critical "Tier 1" gaps requiring immediate national intervention.
4. Strategic Recommendations: The PCU recommended forming a Task Team to engage with export sectors. Experts suggested using the existing Registered Exporter (REX) system as a foundation for a national traceability platform.
5. Financial Support: Bangladesh Bank confirmed that a BDT 2,500 crore fund is available to help industries adopt green and compliant practices.
6. Sector Perspectives: Representatives from the apparel (BGMEA) and leather (LFMEAB) sectors emphasized that compliance is non-negotiable and called for massive awareness campaigns to bridge the current information gap.

The initiative is not just about creating digital tools, but developing a comprehensive strategic roadmap to ensure Bangladesh's exports remain competitive, sustainable, and compliant with evolving EU laws.

[More details in the comments]

30/03/2026

Celebrating Leadership: BUILD CEO Honoured on International Women’s Day 2026 🌟

We are delighted to share that our CEO, Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum, was recently honoured with a Special Recognition award during a joint celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, organised by the SME Foundation and Eastern Bank PLC (EBL).

Held at the Shailapropat Auditorium, Parjatan Bhaban, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs under the global theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”

Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum was recognized alongside fellow trailblazers Monira Imdad (Tangail Saree Kutir) and Zinia Jesmin Karim (Rainbow Valley Daycare) for her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment in Bangladesh.

20/03/2026

Wishing a joyous and blessed Eid-ul-Fitr to all our partners, stakeholders, and the entire business community of Bangladesh!

02/02/2026

Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a private-sector think tank and research organization working to facilitate investment and trade, has released the 6th edition of its flagship publication, “Business Start-up Licenses: A Regulatory Guide.”

Responding to strong demand from entrepreneurs, investors, and business support organizations—and building on the wide appreciation of previous editions—this updated edition provides comprehensive, research-based guidance on business licensing and regulatory compliance in Bangladesh. The guide includes detailed information on required licenses, permits, approvals, and certificates, along with document checklists, estimated processing timelines, applicable fees, contact details of relevant authorities, process maps, renewal procedures, and available automation options.

Designed as a practical and user-friendly reference, the guide supports both local and foreign investors seeking to establish new enterprises or expand existing operations. Notably, this edition has been jointly published by BUILD and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), reinforcing its institutional relevance and credibility.

Published in two volumes, the 6th edition covers 416 licenses, permits, approvals, and No Objection Certificates (NOCs)—including renewal processes—across 53 government and private regulatory agencies involved in business and investment facilitation. The information has been structured to ensure that entrepreneurs at all levels can access all necessary regulatory requirements from a single, reliable source.

A hard copy of this nearly 1,200-page publication (soft copy forthcoming) is available for collection from the BUILD Office (9th Floor, Dhaka Chamber Building, 65–66 Motijheel C/A) during office hours. Interested parties are requested to contact in advance if necessary (Pallab Biswas: 01516-105561).

BUILD welcomes feedback from readers, which will be instrumental in improving future updates and preparing the 7th edition of the guide. Feedback may be shared at [email protected].

Address

65-66 Motijheel C/A
Dhaka
1000

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:30 - 17:00
Thursday	08:30 - 17:00
Sunday	08:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+8800222-3381388

Website

http://www.buildbd.org/

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