In a decisive move to bolster the industrial sector, Bangladesh Bank has introduced new measures to simplify the import of capital goods, a development expected to stimulate investment and streamline industrial operations nationwide. The central bank’s latest guidelines allow industrial investors to import machinery and capital goods under a three-year usance facility, eliminating the need for prior approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Historically, this facility had been restricted to certain categories of machinery. However, the revised directive now extends the benefit to all types of capital goods, offering companies the flexibility to leverage long-term credit when importing essential industrial equipment. According to a senior Bangladesh Bank official, the policy is designed to ease access to financing, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and facilitate timely procurement of machinery crucial for industrial growth.
The circular, issued on 10 December, outlines the new regulatory framework and is based on recommendations from BIDA’s 186th Foreign Loan and Supplier Credit Review Committee, chaired by the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. The official emphasised that the policy will cover a broad range of equipment, including air-conditioning units, ventilation systems, and other machinery critical for production processes, enabling companies to plan long-term investments with greater certainty.
Industry analysts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major step toward reducing bureaucratic delays in capital goods imports. They observed that the three-year usance term will provide businesses with greater financial flexibility, facilitating capacity expansion and encouraging a higher level of industrial investment. Experts predict that the streamlined process is likely to enhance competitiveness, operational efficiency, and industrial modernisation in Bangladesh.
Investors have expressed optimism, noting that the clearer and more stable procedures will foster transparency and create a more conducive environment for both local and foreign enterprises. By simplifying access to crucial machinery and equipment, the policy is expected to strengthen industrial infrastructure and accelerate the nation’s economic growth.
With these reforms, Bangladesh Bank has signalled a proactive commitment to nurturing industrial development, supporting modernisation, and cultivating an investment-friendly ecosystem. The new framework is poised to become a cornerstone of long-term industrial strategy, paving the way for sustained growth and increased productivity across the country’s manufacturing and production sectors.