For the first time, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will be able to appoint executive members from outside the civil service, following a legal amendment aimed at attracting specialists from the private sector, academia, and international organisations.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a notification on 10 August amending the BIDA Act, 2016, to remove the previous requirement that such posts be filled only by government officials of additional secretary rank or above, appointed on deputation.

A new clause now allows “any other person” to be appointed “for a term and on conditions determined by the government.” Officials say the reform broadens the talent pool and could help bring in professionals with sector-specific expertise.

Former BIDA Executive Chairman Serajul Islam said the measure’s success will depend entirely on merit-based implementation. “Whether from government service or the private sector, an appointee must have both the competence and the interest to serve effectively,” he said, warning that personal or political considerations had undermined past appointments.

Islam stressed that competing for global investment requires more than administrative skills, calling for knowledge of industry and international networks, alongside integrity and accountability.

Another former BIDA chief, Aminul Islam, welcomed the change as “logical and necessary,” noting that while Bangladesh has a limited number of additional secretaries, “there are hundreds or even thousands more equally qualified people outside the bureaucracy” in sectors such as banking, industry and trade negotiations.

“This reform expands the government’s options instead of limiting them,” he said.