Bangladesh is entering a decisive phase in its economic journey. With graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026 on the horizon, the country needs to rebrand itself from a low-cost manufacturing base to a trusted investment destination for innovation, technology, and creativity. For foreign investors, however, one question looms large: Can Bangladesh protect intellectual property rights (IPR) with credibility and speed?
For years, investors have cited weak IPR enforcement as a critical non-tariff barrier. Counterfeit exports have dented the reputation of the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, rampant piracy has stifled the creative and ICT industries, and uncertainty over patent protection has slowed foreign pharmaceutical investment.
To address these concerns, the government is betting big on the National Intellectual Property Rights Facilitation and Protection Portal (IFPP), a digital one-stop platform designed to transform how intellectual property is registered, enforced, and defended. At the same time, major infrastructure upgrades such as Dhaka airport’s third terminal are positioning Bangladesh as a logistics and connectivity hub. Together, these reforms send a strong message: Bangladesh is preparing to compete not only on cost but on credibility, trust, and innovation.
IFPP: The IFPP is being positioned as the country’s flagship innovation strategy. For investors, its appeal lies in speed, transparency, and protection—three areas where Bangladesh has historically struggled.
Key features include: (i) Fast-track registration for foreign and domestic innovators; (ii) Real-time enforcement dashboards to monitor and respond to infringements; (iii) Customs-linked monitoring systems to intercept counterfeit goods at borders and ports; (iv) an IPR Guarantee Window to ensure investors against piracy-related losses; and (v) an arbitration mechanism for swift dispute resolution outside overburdened courts.
The rollout is planned in phases—beta testing for e-filing and dashboards within six months, expansion to patents and IP-backed financing within 18 months, and full integration with global systems within three years.
“Investors are not just looking at wages anymore—they are asking whether Bangladesh can protect their technology, brands, and ideas,” said a foreign chamber representative. “If IFPP works as promised, it will be a tipping point.”
Investor Frustrations with the Current System: Despite recent progress, Bangladesh’s IPR framework remains a source of investor concern.
The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), the leading authority, has enacted important new laws—the Patent Act 2023, Copyright Act 2023, and Industrial Design Act 2023—and digitized some processes. But it is still under-resourced and overburdened. A small staff handles thousands of applications, resulting in lengthy backlogs. Enforcement is fragmented across DPDT, customs, police, and the judiciary, creating delays and uncertainty.
For the RMG sector, counterfeiting is a reputational risk. “One counterfeit shipment stamped ‘Made in Bangladesh’ can cost us an entire buyer relationship,” said a leading exporter. For the ICT and creative industries, piracy remains rampant. “We can’t scale globally if our software is pirated the day it’s released,” said a tech entrepreneur.
For pharmaceuticals, post-LDC graduation poses a new challenge. Patent waivers will expire, forcing Bangladesh to enforce protections that multinationals see as non-negotiable. “The rules are tightening globally,” said a pharmaceutical investor. “Unless Bangladesh enforces patents credibly, expansion will be difficult.”
A Complement to IFPP: While IFPP addresses investor concerns on innovation, the third terminal of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport speaks to Bangladesh’s commitment to logistics and connectivity.
Set to be fully operational by 2026, the terminal will triple passenger handling capacity and significantly boost cargo operations. For exporters and investors, the cargo facilities are particularly critical: they promise faster clearance, cold-chain logistics for pharmaceuticals and agro-exports, and integrated customs procedures.
“Efficient air cargo is a prerequisite for high-value exports like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables,” said a logistics sector executive. “The third terminal, combined with IFPP, signals that Bangladesh is serious about moving up the value chain.”
Investors note that without vigorous IPR enforcement, improved logistics could inadvertently accelerate counterfeit flows. Linking IFPP’s customs monitoring systems directly with the third terminal’s cargo handling is seen as a vital step to ensure that faster trade does not mean riskier trade.
What Investors Want: Business leaders across industries are clear about their expectations:
Certainty. Predictable timelines for patent, trademark, and copyright approvals.
Speed. Specialised IPR tribunals connected to IFPP to cut litigation delays.
Integration. Customs and port authorities are fully linked to IFPP, especially at Dhaka’s third terminal and Chattogram port.
Protection. Insurance through the IPR Guarantee Window to offset piracy-related losses.
Collaboration. Formalized partnerships between government and industry chambers for training, enforcement, and awareness.
“Bangladesh has the opportunity to leapfrog by combining digital enforcement with world-class logistics,” said one European investor. “But it must deliver on both fronts.”
Global Lessons: Regional peers provide clear lessons on how to make this leap.
Singapore’s IP Hub Master Plan. By integrating IPR enforcement with innovation and financing, Singapore turned intellectual property into an economic asset. Its digital portals allow for seamless registration, arbitration, and even IP-backed lending. Bangladesh’s IFPP could replicate this by enabling companies to use patents and trademarks as collateral.
India’s Digital Reforms. India reduced patent approval times through e-filing, introduced fast-track processes for start-ups, and trained customs officers to detect counterfeits. Awareness campaigns helped SMEs understand the value of protecting their IP. Bangladesh’s industries argue for a similar dual approach: faster approvals and broader awareness.
A Roadmap: Experts caution that IFPP must not be seen as just another government portal. To win investor trust, it must anchor both short-term enforcement gains and long-term institutional reforms.
Short-Term Priorities (Next 2–3 Years). Launch IFPP with e-filing, enforcement dashboards, and customs integration. Train customs officials at Dhaka’s third terminal to use IFPP tools. Establish specialised IPR tribunals tied to IFPP for faster resolutions. Integrate industry chambers into IFPP for case reporting and dispute monitoring.
Long-Term Strategies (Beyond 2026). Expand IFPP into a comprehensive innovation platform. Link IFPP with WIPO databases for global brand protection. Enable IP-backed financing through banks and financial institutions. Create an independent Intellectual Property Authority, with IFPP as its core. Embed IPR education in schools and universities to nurture a culture of innovation.
Regional Competitiveness: Bangladesh’s infrastructure expansion—Dhaka’s third terminal, Chattogram port upgrades, and BBIN-BIMSTEC corridors—positions it as a potential regional logistics hub. But credibility will depend on enforcement.
“Regional supply chains cannot thrive if they carry counterfeit goods,” said a South Asian trade expert. “IFPP linked with Dhaka airport and other gateways can ensure Bangladeshi exports are trusted globally.”
Investors emphasize that government action alone will not suffice. The private sector must co-own IFPP. Exporters can provide market intelligence, chambers can co-design arbitration rules, and multinationals can share global enforcement practices.
“The IFPP must be transparent and business-driven,” said one garment industry leader. “If investors see real results—cases resolved, goods intercepted, piracy reduced—they will respond with capital and confidence.”
The Next Trade Frontier: As Bangladesh approaches 2026, competitiveness will be measured not just by wages or tariffs but by trust in its innovation ecosystem and trade infrastructure.
The combination of IFPP and Dhaka airport’s third terminal offers Bangladesh a unique chance to send a strong investor signal: that it can deliver both protected ideas and efficient trade routes. If implemented decisively, these twin reforms could redefine Bangladesh’s role in the global economy—not just as a producer of goods, but as a protector and enabler of innovation. As one multinational executive put it: “Strong IPR and strong logistics are two sides of the same coin. Together, they will decide whether Bangladesh attracts the next wave of investment.”
The writer is a consultant specialising
in business, economics, trade, and regional connectivity.
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
