The Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025 introduced a new licensing framework for Bangladesh’s telecommunications and digital-connectivity sector, establishing several maximum foreign equity limits.
The Policy sets different foreign ownership caps depending on the licence category, including:
- For Cellular Mobile Service Provider licences, foreign ownership is capped at 85%, with a corresponding requirement of at least 15% domestic participation (Sections 7.2.11.1–7.2.11.2).
- For National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP) licences, including existing Nationwide Telecommunications Transmission Network (NTTN) and Tower Sharing licences, foreign ownership is generally capped at 65% (Sections 7.7.12.2–7.7.12.3). However, exceptions may allow foreign equity of up to 85% (Section 7.7.12.5).
- For International Connectivity Service Provider (ICSP) licences, foreign shareholding is limited to 49% (Section 7.8.8).
The 60% foreign ownership cap previously set out in Section 4.06(i) of the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Guidelines has been superseded by the ownership limits established under the new licensing policy. Similarly, the previous Tower Sharing regime has been integrated into the NICSP category under Section 7.7.13. More generally, Sections 10.3.3, 13.7, and 14.2 provide that renewals and new applications must be issued under the new licensing categories, while existing licences may continue during their current terms.

Under Section 3(1) of the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act of 1980, the Government may authorise the establishment of an industrial project with foreign capital where the project is considered desirable, including where it does not yet exist in Bangladesh, is not being carried out on a scale adequate to the country’s economic and social needs, or is likely to contribute to capital formation, technical and managerial capacity, natural-resource utilisation, the balance of payments, employment creation, or broader economic development. Under Section 3(2), such authorisation may be subject to conditions imposed by the Government.
In addition, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act of 2016 establishes a broader approval and registration framework applicable to both domestic and foreign private-sector industries. Under Sections 14(1), 15(1), and 15(2), private-sector industrial projects outside specialised regimes must be registered or approved by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), which may request information and consult relevant institutions. For investments in specialised zones or parks, the competent authority may instead be the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), or the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA).

Appendix 7 of the National Industrial Policy 2022 lists certain strategic sectors, including telecommunications (mobile/cellular and landline services), satellite channels, and VoIP/IP telephony, that require a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) for foreign investment.

It is reported that, in the case of establishing a branch office or a representative/liaison office, the minimum inward remittance required to be brought into Bangladesh by the foreign company is USD 50,000.

Bangladesh is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

Section 33 of the Public Procurement Act stipulates that an open international procurement method should be adopted only when it is not feasible to conduct procurement through the invitation of competitive tenders within the country, and it reasonably appears to the procuring entity that effective international competition cannot be ensured without special measures.

Cambodia has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Pursuant to Annex 5 of Sub-Decree No. 370 on the Enforcement of the List of Prohibited and Restricted Goods, the importation of used computers is restricted and is permitted only with authorisation from the Ministry of Environment.

According to Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications, any person may apply to the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) for a permit to engage in the importation, exportation, supply, and distribution of telecommunications equipment. Under Art. 16, individuals may also apply to the TRC for a certificate to act as a Qualified Agent (QA) for the import of such equipment.
In addition, under Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 110, individuals intending to import, supply, or distribute computer instruments and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software must obtain an operational certificate from the General Department of ICT. If the equipment is classified as restricted under Sub-Decree No. 370, an additional import permit is required and must be obtained via the National Single Window online system.
The TRC is the competent authority responsible for issuing licences, certificates, and permits in the telecommunications sector. This includes QA certificates for the import, supply, and distribution of telecommunications and ICT equipment, as well as import permits for items included in the restricted goods list.

According to Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications, any person may apply to the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) for a permit to engage in the export of telecommunications equipment. Additionally, under Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 110, individuals intending to export computer instruments and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software must obtain an operational certificate from the General Department of ICT. The TRC serves as the competent authority for issuing licences, certificates, and permits in the telecommunications sector.

It is required that several products sold in Cambodia obtain national certification, although this certification is often based on international standards. Foreign manufacturers must sign an agreement with the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) to obtain local certification. Any entity can apply for a license to use the ISC Certification Mark. The license has a validity of three years, which can be extended for three years at a time, subject to satisfactory operation of the license.

According to Art. 26.1 of the E-Commerce Law, e-commerce service providers and intermediaries must obtain e-commerce permits or licenses from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) in addition to the general business registration. According to Art. 26.2, the licensing regime has two categories: (1) an e-commerce permit (for individual persons and sole proprietorships) and (2) an e-commerce license (for legal persons and branches of foreign companies). In August 2020, Cambodia issued Sub-Decree No. 134, an implementing regulation of the E-Commerce Law, clarifying that a license is required for legal persons and branches of foreign companies carrying out the following activities: e-commerce web services, e-commerce platform services, online market services, online auction website services, and other similar services provided through software or smart devices for the promotion of e-commerce (Art. 5.1).
In addition, pursuant to Art. 5.2 of the Sub-Decree, an E-Commerce permit is required for natural persons and sole proprietors that operate a business via an electronic system in Cambodia (including those who conduct business via social media and electronic systems to supply or sell/purchase goods and services). Furthermore, according to Art. 7.1, legal entities or foreign branches that are intermediaries of electronic-commerce service providers must apply for a license at the MOC and meet the following conditions: (i) business registration and tax registration with registered business activities relating to e-commerce; (ii) it must have obtained an Online Service Certificate and domain name from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; (iii) it must use an electronic application or means for operating e-commerce; (iv) the electronic system used by it must be accurate; (v) it must specify the payment method; (vi) it must have a business model and consumer protection form. If it is a legal entity or foreign branch acting as an intermediary, it must enter into a contract with the business service providers. Moreover, in October 2020, the MOC issued Prakas No. 290, which set the required documents for applying for e-commerce licenses and permits, and detailed procedures and timeframes for the MOC to review applications. The regulation also stipulates the timelines and procedures for renewing permits and licenses, among other things (Arts. 3–8).
The E-Commerce Law broadly defines e-commerce service providers and intermediaries (Annex). An e-commerce service provider is defined as a "person who uses electronic means to supply goods and/or services except for insurance establishments". On the other hand, intermediary "refers to a person who provides the services of sending, receiving, transmitting or storing services of the electronic communication, either on a temporary or permanent basis, or provides other services relating to the electronic communication, including the following persons: a person representing the sender, receiver, transmitter, or the custodian; telecommunication service providers; network service providers; internet service providers; search engines providers; online payment service providers; online auction service providers; online marketplaces service providers and internet commerce service provider".

In March 2021, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) issued the Circular on E-KYC Guidance and Transaction Limit for Payment Service in Cambodia, clarifying procedures and information required for payment service institutions to identify customers and set daily transaction limits for each customer type. The Circular established the Bakong Payment System by the NBC, which is a centralised platform that allows customers to make bank transfers across banks and payment institutions. Based on the Circular, the size of daily transactions permitted depends on the platform, the personal information provided by the customer, and the stage of the payment service institution’s review of the customer’s information. In accordance with the different customer risk levels, customer identification procedures are determined by the four following transaction types: (i) Transactions between Bakong Accounts; (ii) Transactions between Bakong Accounts and Bank Accounts/E-Wallet Accounts; (iii) Transactions between E-Wallet Accounts and E-Wallet Accounts/Bank Accounts and; (iv) Transactions between Bank Accounts and Bank Accounts via Bakong (Backbone).
For transactions falling under items 1 – 3 above, customers are classified into three categories:
- Basic Customers: The transaction limit is KHR 2 million (approx. USD 500) per day;
- Partial KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 12 million (approx. USD 3,000) per day;
- Full KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 40 million (approx. USD 10,000) per day.
- For transactions under item 4, customers are considered full KYC customers, and the transaction limit is KHR 200 million (approx. USD 50,000) per day.