FBCCI seeks easier licensing process

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called upon the government to put an end to the complexities in obtaining and renewing licences to help reduce cost of doing business.
The apex trade body made the demand at a seminar titled ' Present Situation of the One Stop Service System of BIDA' jointly organised by FBCCI and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) held at FBCCI on Thursday.
President of FBCCI Md Jashim Uddin said that the businesses were spending extra money and time and go through a complex process to renew the licences and certificates every year.
He said that foreign investors become discouraged to invest in Bangladesh due to these complexities.
He called upon the concerned authorities to withdraw the renewing policy of licence every year.
Mr Uddin said that the government organisations may audit but the renewal policy should not exist.
"The safety and security related certificates have to be collected from eight to 10 organisations. All the safety and security certificates should be issued from a single organisation," he added.
"The whole EPZ (export processing zone) is bonded, but industries of EPZ have to take licences. Why these bond licences? Foreigners are investing in EPZs based on the government commitments. However, these steps are discouraging them," he said.
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Executive Chairman of BIDA Md Sirajul Islam urged the businesspeople to avail the services from BIDA Online One Stop Service (OSS).
"Steps will be taken according to the One Stop Service Act if any organisation in OSS cannot serve by the time declared," he assured.
Director of BIDA Jibon Krishna Saha Roy presented the keynote paper on BIDA OSS.
He said that BIDA signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with 39 companies to provide services in OSS.
Signing of MoUs with 11 more companies are in process, he added.
He mentioned that at present 58 services were being provided through OSS of which 18 are BIDA's own and the rest are from other government agencies. The Online One Stop (OSS) is an online facilitation mechanism that seeks to bring relevant government agencies together, coordinated and streamlined, to provide efficient and transparent services to investors.
FBCCI Director Md Naser, former director SM Kamal Uddin, BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed, FBCCI Adviser Brig General (retired) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, Panel Adviser Dr Mostafa Abid Khan and other business leaders took part in the open discussion on the keynote presentation.

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