BANGLADESH
Since April 2022
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Bangladesh Patents Act, 2022 (Act No. V of 2022) (বাংলাদেশ পেটেন্ট আইন, 2022 (2022 সালের আইন নং V))
According to Section 34 of the Bangladesh Patents Act, if the applicant's usual place of residence or principal place of business is located outside Bangladesh, they must be represented by a qualified patent agent who is a resident of Bangladesh.
Coverage Horizontal
BANGLADESH
Since March 2023
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Guidelines on Cloud Computing
According to Sections 2.3.1.2 and 2.3.4.5 of the Guidelines on Cloud Computing, the hosting of customers' sensitive data in the cloud used by banks necessitates exceptional approval from the Central Bank.
Coverage Financial sector
Sources
- https://www.bb.org.bd/mediaroom/circulars/brpd/mar162023brpd05.pdf&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1743112255688291&usg=AOvVaw3g7MnaKLZDWNUai-4LUVHb
- https://openhive.com.au/2024/01/a-concise-summary-of-bangladesh-banks-guideline-for-cloud-computing/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1743112255688235&usg=AOvVaw0WGcMDNRU0fxEnWUvV4jNn
BANGLADESH
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
11.99%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
4.92%
Coverage: ICT goods
BANGLADESH
N/A
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and in ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Bangladesh is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
BANGLADESH
Since July 2006, entry into force in January 2008
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Public Procurement Act, 2006 - Act No. 24 of 2006 (পাবলিক প্রকিউরমেন্ট আইন, ২০০৬)
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.
Coverage Horizontal
BANGLADESH
Since January 2008
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Public Procurement Rules, 2008 (পাবলিক প্রকিউরমেন্ট বিধিমালা, ২০০৮)
Arts. 83(1)(e) and 98(21)(e), along with Schedule II of the Public Procurement Rules, establish a price-preference scheme for domestic suppliers in the context of international tendering. Under this scheme, locals are entitled to a price preference of up to 15% for goods when competing against international bidders under equivalent conditions.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250213215900/https://cptu.gov.bd/upload/policyandprocedure/2017-07-31-16-11-03-Public-Procurement-Rules-2008-Bangla.pdf
- https://www.globalpublicprocurementdata.org/gppd/country_profile/BD
- https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S385R1.pdf&Open=True
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BANGLADESH
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2024
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Reported lack of transparency in public procurement processes
Corruption allegations are common in Bangladesh's public procurement. Foreign stakeholders cite outdated specifications, biased tendering, and lack of transparency. Reports suggest bid rigging, bribery, and anticompetitive practices.
Coverage Horizontal
BANGLADESH
N/A
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Bangladesh is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) nor does it have observer status.
Coverage Horizontal
BANGLADESH
Since August 2008
Since April 2018
Since April 2018
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines on Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Services Operator Licenses
Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Issuing License for Tower Sharing in Bangladesh
Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Issuing License for Tower Sharing in Bangladesh
According to Section 4.06 of the "Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines on Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Services Operator Licences", foreign ownership in BWA services is restricted to a maximum of 60%. Additionally, Section 5.2 of the "Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Issuing Licences for Tower Sharing in Bangladesh" stipulates that foreign ownership in tower sharing is limited to 70%.
Coverage Broadband wireless access services and tower sharing
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250328005615/https://lims.btrc.gov.bd/uploads/service_guideline/BWA%20guidelines.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250328005617/https://btrc.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/btrc.portal.gov.bd/page/1c1ea1c0_f8ef_4cdf_9005_d8a34b9ca554/2022-08-14-07-31-3d42560060e8f5ff919858c4a8...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250317164326/https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/bangladesh/
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BANGLADESH
Reported in 2019, last reported in 2024
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
Reported screening of investments
It is reported all foreign companies must secure approval from the relevant ministries and regulatory agencies to invest in the country. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is primarily responsible for screening, reviewing, and approving investments; however, other authorities, such as the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), may also be involved. In assessing an investment proposal, particular emphasis is placed on various factors, including the ratio of domestic sales to exports, employment generation, and overall value addition to the economy. Additionally,
Coverage Horizontal
BANGLADESH
Reported in 2021, last reported in 2024
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
Reported minimum inward remittance requirement
It is reported that in case of establishing a branch office or representative/liaison office, the minimum inward remittance that is required to be brought into Bangladesh by the foreign company is USD 50,000.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://itip-services-worldbank.wto.org/DetailView.aspx?id=3217370&id2=&id3=&sPath=000021090010902&mzMode=Modes3
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228183252/https://bida.gov.bd/faq
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228184113/https://datahub.itu.int/data/?i=100051&s=19296&e=BGD
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228183328/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mandatory-inward-remittance-foreign-branchliaisonrepresentative-
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228183522/https://www.shanjidsiddique.com/setting-up-branch-office-and-liaison-office
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228194312/https://juralacuity.com/procedure-for-liaison-office-branch-office-in-bangladesh/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250228183654/https://www.counselslaw.com/branch-office-set-up-process-in-bangladesh
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BANGLADESH
Since 2022
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
National Industrial Policy 2022
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, which required a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) for foreign investment.
Coverage Telecommunication sector
BANGLADESH
Since April 2022
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Bangladesh Patents Act, 2022 (Act No. V of 2022) (বাংলাদেশ পেটেন্ট আইন, 2022 (2022 সালের আইন নং V))
Section 6.10 of the Bangladesh Patents Act empowers the Registrar to require a foreign patent holder to disclose the details of their technology, enabling Bangladeshi citizens to utilise the patented invention using their general expertise. It is reported that the imposition of this requirement exclusively on foreign applicants in the patent granting process may be considered a form of discrimination, thereby potentially violating the principle of national treatment.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250224211537/https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/laws/gaikoku/document/index/bangladesh-e_tokkyo_act.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250301230620/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-1401/section-50910.html
- https://academic.oup.com/jiplp/article/18/7/512/7199591?login=true
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ARMENIA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Armenia has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
