Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has signed separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Sylhet City Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, and Southeast Bank PLC.

These agreements introduce seven new services to BIDA’s Online One-Stop Service (OSS) platform, aiming to increase efficiency, transparency, and ease of access for investors, according to a press release on Monday.

BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun attended the signing as the chief guest.

BIDA Executive Member Dr Khandoker Azizul Islam presided over the event and BIDA Director Abdur Rahim gave the welcome address.

The new additions bring the total number of services on the OSS platform to 133, provided by 48 institutions, including 23 services from BIDA, it said.

Since its inception in 2019, the OSS platform has processed over 170,000 applications with a 99% resolution rate. However, only 5,000 applications have been related to services from other agencies, indicating the need for further adoption and integration of the platform.

“Ensuring 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, which will enable investors to access services from all IPAs using a single ID. This will eliminate redundancy, improve monitoring, and ensure seamless service delivery. We urge investors to actively utilise the BIDA OSS platform, which will not only save time but also enhance transparency across all partner institutions,” said the BIDA chairman.

Dr. Khandoker Azizul Islam, executive member of BIDA, signed the MoU with Southeast Bank PLC, while Jibon Krishna Saha Roy, director general of BIDA, signed the MoUs with Sylhet City Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation, and Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, the release said.

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, were also present at the time, among others.