BIDA, UNDP organise dialogue to Ease Work Permit Procedures

To make Bangladesh more friendly for foreign investors and professionals, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) organised a workshop on "Work Permit and Security Clearance Process" in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 15 October at BIDA Auditorium, Dhaka.

The workshop brought together key government entities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, to discuss how to simplify and harmonise the current process. The initiative is part of the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP-II), implemented by UNDP with support from the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Bangladesh's rapid economic growth calls for more skilled foreign professionals and investors. However, delays and complex procedures for obtaining work permits and security clearances have often discouraged potential investors. The event focused on aligning institutional processes, improving coordination, and promoting professional, respectful engagement with foreign applicants.

Chowdhury Ashik Mohammad Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA, announced new measures to enhance transparency and efficiency. Highlighting BIDA's progress in automation and process simplification, he stated, "We have already launched the online security clearance process as of 1 October, and we are working to digitalize visa fee payments to make the system faster and more transparent."

Delwar Hossain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, expressed optimism about the event's outcome, "May the workshop fulfil its purpose successfully."

He described the session as "lively and productive" and noted, "We have successfully brought the entire passport system online."

UNDP is supporting this effort through TEPP-II by helping digitise and streamline the system between BIDA's One Stop Service (OSS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. This reform aims to reduce manual steps, improve transparency, and make the overall process smoother for foreign experts and investors.

The workshop marks a major step toward creating a more efficient and investor-friendly environment, helping Bangladesh attract global expertise and investment for its continued growth.

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