On July 1, 2025, Bangladesh marked a major leap forward in trade facilitation by launching the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW)—a digital platform led by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). This system now allows all required certificates, licenses, and permits (CLPs) for international trade to be processed online through one centralized portal using a Business Identification Number (BIN).
Why This Matters
- Eliminates manual processes & middlemen—reducing corruption and administrative friction.
- Speeds up trade—already over 389,015 CLPs issued since the pilot began; 85.97% issued in under an hour, 94.63% in less than a day.
- Boosts transparency and trust—makes trade easier for both local and international businesses.
- Cost & time savings—less paperwork, less waiting, and fewer physical visits to government offices.
How It Works
- Registration—Traders register with their BIN on the BSW portal.
- Single submission—Submit documents once; the system shares them with all relevant government agencies.
- Auto-issuance of CLPs—Licenses, certifications, and permits are processed digitally and issued automatically.
- Mandatory use—From July 1, CLPs from agencies like DGDA, EPB, DoE, BSTI, BIDA, and BGMEA must be processed through the BSW for customs clearance.
Fast Facts
| Metric | Value |
| CLPs issued to date | 389,015+ |
| Issued in under 1 hour | 85.97% |
| Issued in under 1 day | 94.63% |
| Agencies integrated | 19, including key trade and regulatory bodies |
Stakeholder Voices
Md. Abdur Rahman, Chairman of NBR, hailed the launch as a significant milestone, emphasizing improvements in transparency, efficiency, and accountability. He called on all trade stakeholders to fully engage with the digital platform to ensure its success.
Context & Next Steps
Bangladesh’s move aligns with global trends under the WTO and UN frameworks that encourage paperless trade through single-window systems. Countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Pakistan have demonstrated that such systems significantly reduce time and cost for cross-border trade.
To make this digital shift fully effective, Bangladesh must:
- Update and harmonize laws on e-transactions, digital signatures, and data protection
- Ensure cross-border interoperability with other countries’ systems
- Provide capacity building and training for traders and SMEs
- Expand integration to include more agencies and functions
Experts have also recommended a dedicated legal framework for digital trade governance and stronger measures to ensure cybersecurity and user protection.
In Summary
The full-scale rollout of the Bangladesh Single Window is a major reform.
- Over 389,000 digital approvals processed
- Majority issued in less than an hour
- Mandatory use for 19 agencies
- Key milestone for fast, clean, and reliable trade services
This is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a cultural shift in how Bangladesh trades with the world. The future of smart, transparent, and efficient trade has arrived.
C. Basu.
Bibliography
- “Full single-window digital trade processing starts.” – The Financial Express
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/full-single-window-digital-trade-processing-starts-1751305129 - “Single-window digital trade hits a milestone: NBR” – The Financial Express
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/home/single-window-digital-trade-hits-a-milestone-nbr - “Single”window system”—Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-window_system - “Pakistan Single ”Window”—Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Single_Window - “Governing Digital Trade in Bangladesh: Insights on Legal and Regulatory Reforms” University Law Journal via BanglaJOL
https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/DULJ/article/download/77572/51554/215629 - “Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Bangladesh—UNESCAP Report”
https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/BGD-CBPT%20final%20report-v6.5%2B_1.pdf
