Invest Bangladesh is on the cusp of publishing a policy framework that will enable the sale, lease or strategic partnership of loss‑making, closed and non‑operational state‑owned industrial and commercial entities, as well as their unused land and facilities. A senior official said the draft, reviewed on 17 October at the Prime Minister’s Office with input from multiple ministries, the central bank and the tax authority, is now in its final stage. The proposed "Policy on the Transfer of State‑Owned Industrial or Commercial Enterprises…" drafted under the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, seeks to channel domestic and foreign investment into long‑idle assets, ensuring transparent valuation and competitive selection of investors while protecting public interests.
Key developments include the inclusion of feedback from public and private‑sector stakeholders, the identification of 44 state‑owned enterprises showcased in a June 2026 roadshow, and the explicit goal of reviving struggling industries, boosting production, creating jobs and generating fair economic returns for the state. The policy outlines procedures for asset transfer, share ownership changes and strategic divestiture, aiming to unlock the economic potential of idle assets.
Why it matters: Revitalising dormant state assets could stimulate industrial growth, attract foreign capital and address unemployment, a priority for Bangladesh’s economic agenda. Transparent asset evaluation and competitive investor selection are intended to safeguard public resources and improve fiscal health.
What to watch next: Final legislative approval of the guidelines, the first round of transactions under the new framework, investor response to the identified 44 enterprises, and any early impact on employment and production metrics as projects move from planning to implementation. [[1]]