Licensing · Regulatory Approvals · Compliance
Licenses for Doing Business in Bangladesh
A concise guide to the approvals commonly required to start and operate commercial activities in Bangladesh, and practical next steps to engage legal support.
Main content
Choosing your business structure
Common legal forms in Bangladesh include sole proprietorships, partnerships, private limited companies and public limited companies. Your choice affects which registrations and licenses are required, tax treatment, and compliance obligations.Key immediate steps:- Decide the business form and prepare constituent documents (e.g., partnership deed or articles of association).
- If a partnership or company, register with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies & Firms (RJSC) before applying for most licences.
Registration and incorporation
Company registration (RJSC)
Registration under the Companies Act (1994) issues a Certificate of Incorporation, which is typically the starting point for corporate licensing and bank onboarding.Trade licence
Trade licences are issued by the local authority (City Corporation, Municipality or Union Parishad) for permission to conduct business from a defined premises.General operational permits
Many businesses require one or more cross-sector permits. Examples include:- Environmental Clearance Certificate — Department of Environment (DoE). Often requires an EIA and public consultation for polluting projects.
- Construction Certificate — RAJUK (Dhaka) or relevant development authority; zoning and building safety compliance.
- Factory plan approval & registration — Department of Inspection for Factories & Establishments (DIFE).
- Fire licence — Fire Service & Civil Defence (FS&CD).
- Explosives licence — Department of Explosives, for regulated materials.
Sector‑specific licences
Additional approvals depend on activities and goods handled. Common examples:- Import/Export Registration Certificates (IRC/IRC & ERC) — Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E).
- Bonded warehouse licence — Customs Bond Commissionerate (CBC).
- Approval of foreign loan and related clearances — BIDA.
- BSTI quality mark for certain consumer goods.
- Registration of boilers — Office of the Chief Inspector of Boilers (CIOB).
Intellectual property and quality marks
Rights to consider:- Trademark registration — DPDT for brand protection in Bangladesh.
- Copyright — automatic on creation; registration supports enforcement.
- Patent & design registration — DPDT for technical inventions and registered designs.
Taxation and regulatory registrations
Typical tax and regulatory identifiers:- TIN (Tax Identification Number) — National Board of Revenue (NBR).
- VAT registration — NBR, where turnover thresholds apply.
Foreign investment and special economic zones
For inbound investment:- Project registration with BIDA — registration is typically required for FDI and may enable incentives.
- Ad‑hoc IRC and BIDA recommendations for duty concessions on capital goods.
- Work permits for foreign nationals — administered by BIDA or BEPZA for special zones.
How TRW can help
We provide legal and regulatory support across the licensing lifecycle: advising on structure, preparing applications, liaising with regulators, and handling renewals and compliance. To learn more about our practice areas, visit /our-practices/ and /our-firm/. Typical licensing process
- Choose business form and register (if required).
- Confirm local authority and sectoral approvals needed.
- Prepare supporting documents (plans, EIAs, safety reports).
- Submit applications and monitor agency communications.
- Address conditions and obtain final certificates.
Practical compliance checklist
- Keep incorporation and licence copies on file.
- Track renewal dates and reporting obligations.
- Maintain health, safety and environmental records.
- Use registered agents for customs or bonded operations.
Summary table of common licences
| Licence | Government agency |
|---|---|
| Trade licence | City Corporation / Municipality / Union Parishad |
| Environmental Clearance Certificate | Department of Environment (DoE) |
| Factory plan approval & registration | DIFE |
| Import / Export registration (IRC / ERC) | Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E) |
| Quality certification (BSTI) | Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) |
| TIN / VAT registration | National Board of Revenue (NBR) |
| Work permit for foreign nationals | BIDA & BEPZA |
This table highlights common licences: additional, industry‑specific approvals may apply depending on your activities and location.
Frequently asked questions
Not always. A sole proprietor can obtain a trade licence directly. Partnerships and companies generally must register with RJSC before most licences are processed.
Timing depends on project category and whether an EIA and public consultation are required. Early scoping with the DoE and a robust EIA tend to reduce delay.
Foreign investors registered with BIDA may obtain ad‑hoc IRCs or BIDA recommendations that enable duty concessions on capital goods, subject to conditions.
While not mandatory, registration with DPDT grants stronger enforcement rights and is recommended before significant brand investment.
Maintain licence copies, calendar renewal deadlines, meet reporting obligations, and ensure site-level health, safety and environmental controls are implemented.
Contact
TRW Law FirmFor licensing advice and regulatory assistance, book a consultation or email our team.Other resources: Foreign investment practice · Financial services regulation · Tax law · Arbitration · Supreme Court listings
Office (listed): Dhaka — House 410, Road 29, Mohakhali DOHS
Phone (listed): +8801708000660 · +8801847220062 · +8801708080817
Phone (listed): +8801708000660 · +8801847220062 · +8801708080817
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This page provides general information about licences and regulatory considerations in Bangladesh. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer‑client relationship. For specific guidance, please contact TRW Law Firm and book a consultation.