Bangladesh has launched a new national Business Development Services (BDS) Portal to help entrepreneurs access finance, training, licensing information, market opportunities, and business support services through a single digital platform.
The portal was introduced by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the SME Foundation, and the Ministry of Industries under the ILO ProGRESS project, with funding support from the Government of Canada. Launched during Bangladesh’s International MSME Day 2026 observance, the platform aims to make business services easier to access, more transparent, and more effective for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
MSMEs play a major role in Bangladesh’s economy, with more than 11.7 million operational economic units contributing to employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. However, many businesses continue to face challenges in finding reliable information on financing, regulations, skills development, market access, and government support.
The BDS Portal addresses these challenges by bringing together information from multiple institutions in one centralized online platform. Entrepreneurs can use the portal to find business advisory services, entrepreneurship training, financial opportunities, market information, networking options, and support for registration and licensing procedures.
The platform also allows approved business service providers, including consultants, trainers, technology providers, banks, and lending institutions, to promote their services and connect with potential clients.
Alongside the portal, the ILO and SME Foundation introduced three practical guidebooks to simplify business formalization processes. The guides cover business licensing requirements, plastic waste management regulations, and licensing procedures for the light engineering sector. They provide entrepreneurs with information on responsible agencies, expected costs, timelines, and application procedures.
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tuñón said the portal is more than a digital platform, describing it as a practical tool to connect entrepreneurs with the resources needed to establish, formalize, and expand their businesses. He emphasized that stronger MSMEs are essential for creating decent jobs and supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth.
The initiative is part of wider efforts by the ILO to strengthen Bangladesh’s MSME ecosystem through policy support, entrepreneurship training, improved productivity, responsible business practices, and enterprise development.
Government representatives also highlighted ongoing efforts to create a stronger environment for small businesses through industrial development, entrepreneurship support, and policy measures aimed at increasing the contribution of MSMEs to the national economy.
The long-term success of the BDS Portal will depend on continued updates, cooperation among institutions, and engagement with entrepreneurs. As it develops, the platform could become a central gateway for business support services, helping businesses grow, create jobs, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic development in Bangladesh.
