Invest Bangladesh announced that it is in the final stage of issuing guidelines to commercialise loss‑making, closed and non‑operational state‑owned industrial and commercial enterprises, as well as their unused land and facilities. A draft review was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on 17 October, with senior officials from key ministries, Bangladesh Bank and other agencies participating. Nahian Rahman Rochi of Invest Bangladesh confirmed that the draft now incorporates feedback from both public and private‑sector stakeholders.
The framework, called the Policy on the Transfer of State‑Owned Industrial or Commercial Enterprises… (drafted under Section 48 of the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026), seeks to return long‑idle, financially distressed assets to productive use via domestic and foreign investment. It outlines procedures for transferring ownership, evaluating assets transparently, selecting investors competitively and protecting public interests.
Earlier, a June 2026 roadshow under the prime minister showcased 44 identified state‑owned enterprises, attracting interest for public‑private partnerships, joint ventures, long‑term leases and strategic sales. The government expects the approved policy to revive closed industries, boost production, attract new investment and create jobs.
Why it matters: Unlocking idle state assets could spark industrial revitalisation, increase export capacity and generate employment, addressing Bangladesh’s growth challenges and fiscal pressures.
What to watch next: Legislative approval of the policy, the rollout of specific asset transfer transactions, the composition of winning investor consortia, and early performance metrics of revived enterprises. [[1]]