In a significant initiative to enhance and simplify investor services, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority on Monday signed separate agreements with Sylhet City Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited and Southeast Bank PLC.
These agreements will introduce seven new services to BIDA鈥檚 Online One-Stop Service platform, aiming to increase efficiency, transparency, and ease of access for investors.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of BIDA and BEZA, attended the event as chief guest at BIDA conference room in the city while Khandoker Azizul Islam, executive member of BIDA, presided over it.
The agreements were signed by Khandoker Azizul Islam, executive member of BIDA, with Southeast Bank PLC, and Jibon Krishna Saha Roy, director general of BIDA, with Sylhet City Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation, and Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited.
The new additions bring the total number of services offered through the OSS platform to 133, provided by 48 institutions, including 23 services from BIDA itself. Since its inception in 2019, the OSS platform has processed over 1,70,000 applications with a 99 per cent resolution rate.
However, only 5,000 applications have been related to services provided by other agencies, indicating the need for further adoption and integration of the platform.
Speaking at the event, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun emphasised the importance of improving service delivery for investors.
He stated, 鈥楨nsuring quality service for investors remains our top priority. Through the OSS platform, we aim to make the service delivery process more accessible and efficient. Our long-term plan includes establishing a Single Entry Point, enabling investors to access services from all IPAs using a single ID.鈥�
He said that this would eliminate redundancy, improve monitoring and ensure seamless service delivery.
He urged investors to actively utilize the BIDA OSS platform, which will not only save time but also enhance transparency across all partner institutions.
Khandoker Azizul Islam further elaborated on the impact of the new MoUs.
He noted, 鈥楾oday鈥檚 signing with four institutions marks another milestone, as it introduces seven new services to the OSS platform. Raising awareness about OSS among investors is crucial for its success. This initiative aims to save both time and resources while ensuring streamlined services for investors.鈥�
The event began with a welcome address by Abdur Rahim, director of BIDA, followed by a detailed presentation on OSS updates by Jibon Krishna Saha Roy, director general of BIDA.
Representatives from the respective organizations also shared their insights at the event. These included Noor Uddin Md Sadek Hossain, managing director of Southeast Bank PLC; Manjurul Haque, company secretary of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited; Rezai Rafi Sarkar, CEO of Sylhet City Corporation; and Joyshree Rani Roy, representing Rangpur City Corporation.
The programme, moderated by Abu Muhammad Nurul Hayat Tutul, was attended by senior officials from various public and private organizations, along with representatives from print and electronic media.
This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the investment environment in Bangladesh by making services faster, more transparent and easier to access.
