REGISTERING A NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN BANGLADESH

Registering a Non Profit Organization in Bangladesh

 

Registering a non profit organization in Bangladesh can be quite challenging simply because of the lack of information. There are several government entities you can register your organization with and we spent quite some time determining the right one that aligns with our goals.

I’ll keep this brief and to the point with relevant links. Please do your own research as some of the information (processing time estimates, application fee etc) can change over time.

1. Registering with Bangladesh NGO Bureau (http://www.ngoab.gov.bd) – If you are an international organization (registered outside Bangladesh) you need to register with NGO bureau before you can operate in Bangladesh. Unfortunately this is a lengthy process due to the recent stringent screening by the Bangladesh govt to curb the NGOs involved in financial frauds of various kinds. Word has it, new NGO registration is on hold and a 2 year back log of applications exist (unverified Information). If you need to channel money from your registered organization (outside Bangladesh) to Bangladesh legally, you must register with NGO Bureau. Another way around this would be to partner up with an international organization who already has this channel developed. In our pursuit, we came across several international NGOs willing to help, but you need to consider factors like associated services fees (most of them will waive the fees), working under the banner of the bigger organization, abiding by the policy of the partner organization etc.

2. Registering with the Department of Social Services (DSS) under Ministry of Social Welfare (http://www.dss.gov.bd) – Easier application process (online application available) and the processing time is known to be 6-7 months long (unverified Information). However  registering with DSS only gives you the permission to operate in Bangladesh and receiving money from a foreign organization is strictly forbidden.

3. Registering with Bangladesh Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (http://www.roc.gov.bd) – Registering with Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms or commonly known as Bangladesh Joint Stock, gives you pretty much the same conditions of operation as with Department of Social Services, but we opted for this for because:

• Even faster application processing time
• Easier Application process
• Digital RJSC – providing online services like name search, name clearance etc.

First step to register your organization with Bangladesh Joint Stock would be to file a name clearance application. The name search/availability can be done from their online services (http://www.roc.gov.bd:7781/psp/nc_search?p_user_id=), select ‘Society’ as the Entity type and search for the organization name you are looking for. Once you ensure the name is not taken, you can proceed with the Name clearance application online (creating a user account). There is a fee of 600 BDT per name that needs to be paid in a local bank in Bangladesh (no online payment system), instructions for which will follow once you finish the online application. The Name Clearance approval will come within 24 hours after the fee is paid and the status can be checked using the account created during the Name clearance application.

The next step in the process is the actual organization registration application. This application has to be submitted on paper along with all the required documents (and name clearance approval). If you are residing in Dhaka or have someone who can assist you, you can look for these consulting firms located in Karwan Bazar (behind WASA Bhaban) who help people with the entire application process for a service fee of 7000-15000 BDT (there are several of them next to each other and you can shop around). They help you prepare the application and other necessary documents and certainly knows the ins & outs of the whole process (they can submit it on your behalf as well).

The application form and the required document list can be intimidating so go through them first to see if you or your organization can handle it, but if you are short in time I’ll recommend these consulting firms.

(With the courtesy to http://onuron.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/registering-a-non-profit-organization-in-bangladesh/)