Invest Bangladesh is nearing completion of guidelines to commercialise loss-making, closed and non-operational state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises, along with their unused land and facilities, to attract investment and create jobs.
The authority has prepared the latest draft after incorporating feedback from public- and private-sector stakeholders and members of the public.
A review meeting on the draft was held at the Prime Minister's Office today (17 October), chaired by the principal secretary to the prime minister, according to an official statement. Representatives from the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, other relevant ministries and divisions, Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue and the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority attended and shared their observations.
Relevant ministries and agencies have been asked to submit final comments to Invest Bangladesh within five working days. The authority will incorporate the feedback before finalising the draft and sending it for legal review and approval.
"We are now at the final stage of issuing the guidelines for commercialising loss-making state-owned assets and enterprises. Today's review covered the draft incorporating feedback from the public and relevant public- and private-sector stakeholders," Nahian Rahman Rochi, a member of Invest Bangladesh, told The Business Standard.
"We expect to send the final version to the Law Ministry within the next few days for review and formal execution of the guidelines, following which we should be ready to begin the actual commercialisation process," he added.
The proposed framework, titled Policy on the Transfer of State-Owned Industrial or Commercial Enterprises or Their Unused Land or Facilities, Transfer of Shares and Ownership Interests, or Strategic Divestiture, was drafted under Section 48 of the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026.
It aims to return long-idle and financially distressed state assets to productive economic use through domestic and foreign investment. The policy outlines procedures for transferring state-owned enterprises and unused assets, transferring shares and ownership rights, and pursuing strategic divestment through appropriate transaction models.
It also seeks to ensure transparent asset evaluation, determine suitable transaction structures, attract investors and select them competitively, while protecting public interests and securing fair economic returns on state assets. The framework is expected to revive closed and struggling industries, boost production, attract investment and create jobs.
44 state-owned enterprises identified for investment
As part of the government's broader initiative, a roadshow was held on 20 June 2026 under the prime minister's leadership to showcase 44 closed and loss-making state-owned industrial enterprises to domestic and foreign investors.
The roadshow presented opportunities to revive the enterprises through public-private partnerships, joint ventures, long-term leases and strategic sales. It drew considerable interest from potential domestic and international investors, according to the official statement.
Invest Bangladesh had earlier invited comments on the draft from relevant ministries, government agencies, state-owned enterprises, business associations, investors, financial institutions and other stakeholders. It also consulted public- and private-sector stakeholders during drafting and incorporated subsequent feedback from relevant government bodies where appropriate.
Once finalised and approved, the policy is expected to establish a clear institutional framework for commercialising underutilised state-owned enterprises and public assets. The government hopes the initiative will unlock the economic potential of idle assets, encourage new industrial investment and create additional jobs.