Commercial Courts to Boost Investor Confidence

As part of Bangladesh's broader judicial reform agenda, a crucial discussion on the establishment of dedicated commercial courts was held today, 21 July 2025, bringing together business leaders, legal experts, and policymakers at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

The event, jointly organised by the BIDA and the Supreme Court with support of UNDP follows the Honourable Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed's recent announcement of steps to establish commercial courts aimed at speeding up business dispute resolution and boosting investor confidence.

Sheikh Abu Taher, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, attended the event as Chief Guest. He reiterated the government's strong commitment to ensuring that the legal environment supports the country's economic ambitions and to justice reforms.

"Our vision is to create a judiciary that is responsive to the evolving needs of the economy. Commercial courts are a timely intervention that will help make Bangladesh a more competitive and investor-friendly destination," he said.

During the consultation, UNDP Acting Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne referred to "global evidence that shows a positive association between strong commercial laws, timely dispute resolution, and the investment climate."

"This is critical to boosting investor confidence. UNDP is honoured to support the Supreme Court's reform agenda, and work with the Ministry of Law & Justice, as well as BIDA to enhance the country's business environment. This initiative supports both access to justice and inclusive growth," she further added

Dr. Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, Registrar General of the Supreme Court and Chair of the session, welcomed the initiative, noting that dedicated commercial courts will help improve judicial efficiency and transparency. He said, "Establishing specialised, technology-driven commercial courts with trained judges and staff will boost investor confidence, ensure faster dispute resolution, and help drive economic growth in Bangladesh."

Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Executive Member of BIDA, highlighted the importance of building investor trust through reforms in regulatory and judicial processes. "Establishing commercial courts will greatly benefit both domestic and international investors by ensuring speedy and effective legal remedies," he said.

The draft Commercial Court Ordinance was also presented during the session, followed by open-floor feedback from stakeholders including the private sector, legal professionals, and judiciary officials.

The discussion is part of UNDP's broader support to judicial reforms in Bangladesh and complements ongoing efforts to improve the country's investment climate in collaboration with BIDA.