Despite the recovery prospects of entrepreneurs under the interim government, the services offered by government agencies through a single-window platform to facilitate business continue to be marred by unscrupulous activities.

Although the country has tried to find new ways to attract investment and increase economic growth over the last decade, the usual scenario of negligence in government departments has remained almost unchanged.

Such attitudes have disrupted the one-stop service (OSS) portal of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), which was launched in February 2019 to help investors implement business projects faster by centralizing the delivery of necessary regulation, compliance and value-added services.

Currently, Bida offers 112 investment services from 29 departments, including the Department of Environment (DoE), Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishments (DIFE) and Registry of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC), through OSS. .

However, the entrepreneurs claimed that they could not benefit from the services of these organizations online, adding that the authorities had to physically visit the offices depending on their wishes.

These allegations came to light when The Daily Star recently interviewed more than 20 businessmen who applied for OSS services.

“Before the start of every financial year, we apply to renew all licenses and other certifications from DoE, DIFE and RJSC through Bida’s OSS portal. But our staff almost have to rush to the respective offices to avail the services,” said Eleash Mridha. Managing director of Pran Group.

Mridha added that despite the scope of providing services online, officials insist on inquiries and factory visits.

He noted that the system was haphazard and added that businesses had to waste a lot of time every year. He added that many prefer to appoint a dedicated team to handle such activities to avoid hassles.

There are 30 companies under the umbrella of Pran Group, which must renew the necessary documents every year.

Mohammed Amirul Haque, managing director of Premier Cement Mills PLC, claimed that license renewals or permits cannot be obtained from RJSC, DoE or DIFE unless some “speed money” is paid.

Haque, who is also the chairman of Seacom Group, which has 25 companies under its umbrella, said he employs at least 50 employees to deal with government institutions.

He added that he had to spend Tk 25,000 in bribes every year just to renew his trade licence, and claimed that files were not moved from one desk to another in government offices unless undue benefits were provided.

A senior official of Chattogram-based PHP Family also echoed the same and added that they had hired consultancy firms to handle business-oriented government services to avoid trouble.

According to him, there is no alternative to such bribery when it comes to running business in Bangladesh.

“This is an open secret,” the official complained.

Riad Mahmud, managing director and chief executive officer of National Polymer Group, said that in some cases applications can be made virtually, but government services are almost never provided online.

“Services are provided only after my staff visits their offices,” he said, adding that they had to pass on the extra costs resulting from bribes to consumers, which increased the cost of the products.

Humayun Rashid, managing director and CEO of Energypac Power Generation Ltd, said getting services online is a far cry.

“To receive services, you must arrange for officials to visit the factory by plane or helicopter and provide other undue benefits.”

He alleged that government officials made excuses and implied that secret agreements were mandatory to receive services.

However, Syed Nasim Manzur, former president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said businesses should take advantage of online services through OSS and thought it was a good platform.

Manzur, who is also the managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd, said his firm has been utilizing services through OSS for the last few years.

Bida director (OSS and regulatory reform) Jibon Krishna Saha Roy said corporate companies have never made allegations of harassment or bottlenecks in obtaining or renewing licenses or certificates.

“If they don’t file a criminal complaint, how will Bida cooperate with them?”

He added that investors who encounter such problems in any office should inform Bida and take precautions.

Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development, said the reluctance of some government officials to change was concerning, especially as it hindered business and investment.

Zirka Amin, programmer of RJSC, which deals with complaints submitted by companies seeking services, said that most companies do not know how to get uninterrupted services.

That’s why they hire lawyers or certified public accountants at high costs, he said.

“On the other hand, most of those who want to do this themselves make mistakes. In other words, they do it through brokers. They spend money while doing this.”

But he said there is an opportunity to identify and correct problems by contacting the appropriate authorities.