Investment in Bangladesh |
Investment Climate
Bangladesh offers an unique investment climate compared to the other South Asian economies.
- – Geographic location of the country is ideal for global trade with very convenient access to international sea and air route.
- – Hardworking and low-cost labour force suitable for any labour-intensive industry.
- Broad non-partisan political support for market oriented reform and the most investor-friendly regulatory regime in South Asia.
- – Bangladesh is endowed with abundant supply of natural gas, water and its soil is very fertile.
- Although Bangla is the official language, but English is generally used as second language.
- – As a result of low per capita income of only US$ 750, present domestic consumption is not significant. However there exists a middle class with moderate purchasing power. As economic growth picks up, the purchasing power will also grow substantially. And a country of more than 160 million people constitutes a significant market.
- – Most Bangladeshi products enjoy complete duty and quota free access to EU, Japan, USA, Australia and many other developed countries.
- – Investment in Bangladesh is well protected by law and by practice
- – Agreements for avoidance of double taxation have already been signed with 25 countries and negotiations are going on with many other countries.
Investment Incentives
Bangladesh government is highly keen to stimulate the economy and transform a poverty-stricken economy to industrialized economy within short time. Government has liberalized the industrial and investment policies in recent years by reducing bureaucratic control over private investment and opening up many areas. Incentives offered by the government are as follows:
(a) Tax Holiday
Tax holiday facility is available for 5 years depending on the nature and location of the industrial enterprise. Industrial undertaking eligible for tax holiday are textile, jute goods, high value garments, pharmaceuticals, melamine, plastic products, ceramics, sanitary ware, steel from iron ore, MS Rod, CI Sheet, fertilizer, insecticide & pesticide, computer hardware, petro-chemicals, agriculture machinery, boilers, compressors, basic raw materials of drugs, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, ship building and diamond cutting. Physical infrastructure investment eligible for tax holiday are Sea or river port, container terminals, internal container depot, container freight station, LNG terminal and transmission line, CNG terminal and transmission line, gas pipe line, flyover, mono rail, underground rail, telecommunication other than mobile phone, large water treatment plant & supply through pipe line, waste treatment plant, solar energy plant, export processing zone.
However power generation company can enjoy tax holiday for 15 years. Tax holiday facilities are provided in accordance with the existing tax laws and granted by National Board of Revenue (NBR).
(b) Accelerated Depreciation:
New industrial undertakings not enjoying tax holiday can enjoy accelerated depreciation allowance on cost of machinery in the first year of commercial production at 50%, in the second year at 30% and in the third year at 20%.
(c) Concessionary Duty on Imported Capital Machinery:
Import duty, at the rate of 7.5% is payable on capital machinery and spares imported for initial installation of the industry or Balancing, Modernization, Rehabilitation and Extension (BMRE) of the existing industries. For 100% export oriented industries, no import duty is charged in case of capital machinery and spares. Value Added Tax (VAT) is not payable for imported capital machinery and spares.
(d) Rationalization of Import Duty:
Duties and taxes on import of goods which are produced locally is higher than those applicable to import of raw materials for producing such goods.
(e) Other Incentives:
– Tax exemption on royalties, technical know-how fees received by any foreign collaborator, firm, company and expert.
– Tax exemption on the interest on foreign loans under certain conditions.
– Avoidance of double taxation in case of foreign investors on the basis of bilateral agreements.
– Exemption of income tax up to 3 years for the foreign technicians employed in industries specified in the relevant schedule of income tax ordinance.
– Facilities for full repatriation of invested capital, profit & dividend.
– Tax exemption on capital gains from the transfer of shares of public limited companies listed with a stock exchange.
– Special facilities and venture capital support is provided to export-oriented industries under “Priority Sectors”
– There is no discrimination in case of duties and taxes for the same type of industries set up by foreign and local investors and in the public and private sectors.
| Incentives to Export-Oriented and Export-Linkage Industries | |||
| Export-oriented industrialization is one of the major objectives of the Industrial Policy 1999. Export-oriented industries are given priority and public policy support is ensured in this respect. An industry exporting at least 80% of its manufactured goods or an industry contributing at least 80% of its products as an input to export oriented industry or a business entity exporting at least 80% of services is considered as an export-oriented industry. To attract investment in 100 percent export-oriented industries, following incentives and facilities are provided: | |||
| – Duty free import of capital machinery
– Bonded Warehouse and back-to-back Letter of Credit facilities are allowed. – Exporter receives duty drawback at a flat rate directly from the relevant commercial banks. – There are arrangements for providing loans up to 90 percent of the value against irrevocable and confirmed Letter of Credit/Sales Agreement. – To ensure backward linkage, incentives are extended to the “deemed exporters” supplying indigenous raw materials to export-oriented industries. – Income tax rebate is allowed to export earning. – Raw materials, which are included in the banned/restricted list, but required in the manufacture of exportable commodities, are allowed to import. – The imports of specified quantities of duty-free samples for manufacturing exportable products are allowed. Apart from the above-mentioned facilities, other facilities announced and provided in the Export Policy are applicable to export-oriented and export-linkage industries.
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| Incentives at Export Processing Zones (EPZ) :
Investment in the Export Processing Zones enjoys following special incentives: (i) Fiscal Incentives:
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| (ii) Non-fiscal incentives: – Investment protected under Foreign Private Investment (promotion and protection) Act, 1980 – 100% foreign ownership permissible – No ceiling on foreign investment – Foreign currency loan from abroad under direct automatic route – Non – resident Foreign Currency Deposit (NFCD) Account permitted – Full repatriation of capital and dividend. Foreign Investment Policy and Regulations: The policy framework for foreign investment in Bangladesh is based on the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980, which ensures legal protection to foreign investment in the country against nationalization and expropriation. It also guarantees non-discriminatory treatment between foreign and local investment and repatriation of proceeds from sales of shares and profit. However, foreign investors are required to follow the regulations of Bangladesh Bank and (National Board of Revenue) for taxation and customs matters. |
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| Doing Business in Bangladesh:
Setting Business: Business in Bangladesh may be carried out by a company incorporated locally or a company incorporated outside Bangladesh, but registered in Bangladesh. Approvals: All foreign investment in Bangladesh is to be registered with the Board of Investment. There are no limits for equity participation. Investment is welcome in all sectors, with the exception of: |
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| Taxation: National Board of Revenue (NBR) is the apex body for matters relating to taxation (income tax, VAT and Customs duty) in Bangladesh.
Income Tax: Income tax is administrated by the Income Tax department of NBR and governed by the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984 and by the Income Tax Rules 1984. Bangladesh has concluded tax treaties with 25 countries to assure foreign investors of fair treatment and avoid double taxation. VAT: Bangladesh has mostly replaced the former sales and excise taxes with the VAT, imposed at a flat rate of 15 per cent. VAT is not payable for imported capital machinery and spares. But turnover tax is imposed on some small-scale activities, which remain outside the purview of VAT. Customs Duty: Customs duty and supplementary duty are imposed on imported finished goods as well as raw material as per schedule declared by the government. Labour Issues/Regulations: The Labour Law 2004, Employment of Labour (Standing Orders) Act, 1965, and the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969, regulate conditions of employment in Bangladesh, but there are about 47 labour-related laws, which regulate wages and employment, trade union and industrial disputes, working environment and labour administration, and related matters. Competitive Sector for Investment in Bangladesh: Bangladesh, traditionally known for jute and tea exports, has recently attracted world- wide attention for readymade garments and leather exports. Bangladesh foresees an expansion of her agricultural sector, as well as increased diversity in non traditional industries and business. Below is a short account of a few potential investment sectors where investment from UK may flow. 1) Ready made garments and Textile 2) Power and Energy 3) Leather and Leather Goods 4) Frozen foods 5) Information Technology and Business Services 6) Agro-based Industry 7) Ceramic 8) Light Engineering 9) Life Sciences 10) Electronics 11) Jute and Jute goods 12) Tourism 13) Ship Building Bangladesh government is highly keen to stimulate the economy and transform a poverty-stricken economy to industrialized economy within short time. Government has liberalized the industrial and investment policies in recent years by reducing bureaucratic control over private investment and opening up many areas. Bangladesh’s regulation of inward investment is recognised as the most liberal in South Asia. Apart from the general investment climate many incentives are offered by the government to attract foreign investment such as tax holiday, accelerated depreciation, concessionary duty on import of capital machineries and many more. Moreover special incentives are offered to the investors who invest in the Export Promotions Zones. Foreign investments in the following areas are particularly encouraged: |
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| Investment of NRBs is treated at par with FDI. Special incentives are provided to the NRBs to encourage investment in the country. NRBs enjoy facilities similar to those of foreign investors. Moreover, they can buy newly issued shares/ debentures of Bangladeshi companies. A quota of 10% has been fixed for NRBs in primary public shares. Furthermore, they can maintain foreign currency deposits in the Non-resident Foreign Currency Deposit (NFCD) account. An additional rebate of 5% on the total sale price of SOEs sold by the Privatisation Commission is granted when the buyer including the NRBs pays the full amount in foreign currency. DFID has recently expressed its interest to develop a Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh that may be ideal place for investment for the NRBs. | |||
