Bangladesh needs to modernise and strengthen its intellectual property (IP) framework to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from the United States, and build stronger confidence among international businesses as the country prepares for LDC graduation, experts and diplomats said.
The remarks were made during a roundtable discussion titled “Advancing the IPR Framework and the Way Forward,” organised by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh at The Westin Dhaka.
Speaking at the event, Shilpi Jha, Senior Commercial Specialist and Intellectual Property Policy Advisor for South Asia at the US Embassy in New Delhi, said stronger and internationally aligned IP protection has become an economic necessity rather than only a legal requirement.
She noted that an updated intellectual property regime would help Bangladesh integrate more effectively into the global economy, encourage innovation, expand exports and improve the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
According to experts at the discussion, Bangladesh has already made notable progress by introducing the Patent Act 2023 and a new Design Act aimed at strengthening protection for industrial innovation and product designs.
However, further reforms are still needed to align the country’s IP framework with international standards and global best practices.
Industry observers noted that Bangladesh has long benefited from certain policy flexibilities under international agreements due to its least developed country (LDC) status, which delayed the implementation of several IP-related reforms.
With the country moving toward post-LDC transition, policymakers and businesses are increasingly recognising the importance of stronger IP protection in supporting long-term industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
Under the new Design Act, businesses and innovators can now register unique industrial designs that differ from products already available in the market. Authorities are also working to modernise trademark regulations to meet international compliance standards.
Experts believe these reforms could eventually pave the way for Bangladesh to join major global IP systems such as the Madrid Protocol and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Membership in the Madrid Protocol would enable Bangladeshi businesses to seek trademark protection in multiple international markets through a simplified application process, while joining the PCT would allow local inventors to apply for patent protection across several countries through a single international filing system.
Industry stakeholders warned that weak IP enforcement continues to discourage multinational companies from introducing advanced technologies, premium products and innovation-driven investments in Bangladesh due to concerns over counterfeiting and misuse.
Syed Ershad Ahmed, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, said a strong intellectual property rights framework is strategically important for Bangladesh’s future economic development.
He added that improved IP protection would not only attract more foreign investment but also increase the confidence of global buyers and international sourcing companies doing business with Bangladesh.
