Bangladesh, Sept. 17 -- New investors in private inland container depots (ICDs) will be able to begin full-fledged operations immediately after obtaining their licences, as the government moves to end a cumbersome approval process that can keep billions of taka in investment idle for years.

Advertisement The current practice requires them to undergo phased trial operations.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury with officials from Chittagong Port and customs authorities.

The finance minister instructed the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Chittagong Customs House and Customs House ICD to implement the decision within the next six months.

He also directed the authorities to...