Market Entry
Six stages between deciding and operating.
There is no single route into Bangladesh — the right one depends on what you're trying to do. This guide covers the general sequence; a Gateway Advisor maps the specific route for your situation.
Which route fits you?
Four common entry models
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Full control, full compliance responsibility. Common for manufacturing and long-horizon operations.
Joint venture
Shared capital and local market knowledge. Common where land, licensing, or distribution relationships matter.
Economic zone entity
Faster land and utility access, bundled incentives. Common for export-oriented manufacturing.
Distribution / licensing
Lowest capital commitment, fastest to revenue. Common for market-testing before a larger commitment.
The sequence
The six stages, in order
Structuring & entry-model decision
Decide the legal vehicle, ownership structure, and route before registration begins — reversing this later is expensive.
- Entity type and ownership split
- Repatriation and tax-treaty planning
- Local partner requirement, if any
Registration & approvals
Company registration, sector-specific licenses, and — for foreign investment — registration with the relevant investment authority.
- Name clearance and incorporation
- Trade license and sector permits
- Foreign investment registration
Land, zone & facility
Securing land or factory space — inside or outside an economic zone — with utility and environmental clearances.
- Zone allotment or private land acquisition
- Utility connections (power, gas, water)
- Environmental clearance
Financing & banking
Opening the right account structures, arranging local or cross-border financing, and setting up repatriation mechanics.
- Foreign currency and local accounts
- Debt or trade-finance arrangement, if needed
- Profit repatriation setup
Workforce & supply chain
Hiring, work-permit processing for expatriate staff, and supplier or distribution-partner onboarding.
- Local hiring and expatriate work permits
- Supplier and vendor qualification
- Distribution or offtake agreements
Launch & compliance cadence
Operational launch, with the recurring tax, labour, and regulatory filing cadence built in from day one.
- Operational go-live
- Recurring compliance calendar
- ESG and stakeholder reporting, where applicable