Foreign shareholding is limited to 49% in companies providing airport ground-handling services and aircraft maintenance and repair services, as well as 'operational services' to non-schedule flights by foreign registered aircraft into or in transit across Bangladesh.
Additionally, foreign shareholding in logistics companies providing freight clearing and forwarding services is limited to 49% since 2017 (up from 40% until 2016).
"CHAPTER II - Certificates, Licenses, Permits, etc [...]
4. (1) No civil aircraft shall be operated in Bangladesh unless it is registered under this Act. [...]
(4) Any civil aircraft registered under this Act shall be recognized as a Bangladeshi aircraft.
(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to aircraft registered under the laws of any foreign country.
[...]
7. (1) No person shall operate a commercial aircraft without an air operator's certificate.
[...]
9. (1) No foreign air operator shall provide any commercial air transport service in Bangladesh without a permit:
Provided, however, that in case of operation of scheduled flights by any foreign air operator in Bangladesh, there should be an air traffic agreement with the concerned state.
(2) The foreign air operator shall apply to the Chairman for a permit in the prescribed manner.
(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (2), if the Chairman is satisfied that the foreign air operator concerned has fulfilled the prescribed conditions, he shall issue a permit in his favour.
(4) If any foreign air operator wishes to provide commercial air transport services in Bangladesh, the said air operator shall appoint a company wholly owned by a Bangladeshi citizen and registered in Bangladesh as sole sales representative.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, in the event of any dispute between a foreign air operator and its sales representative, the air transport services of such foreign air operator shall not be suspended during the said dispute and, if necessary, such foreign air operator shall , subject to compliance with the provisions of sub-section (4), may temporarily appoint new sales representatives.[...]" (Civil Aviation Act No 18 of 2017)
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"1.1.1 APPLICABILITY
i. ANO (AOC) applies to the carriage of passengers, cargo or mail by aircraft for remuneration/payment or promise of remuneration/ payment or hire by person(s) whose principal place of business or permanent residence is located in BANGLADESH.
ii. This ANO prescribes requirements for the original certification and continued compliance of air operator certificate (AOC) issued by BANGLADESH. 
iii. Except where specifically noted, ANO (AOC) applies to all commercial air transport operations by AOC holders for which BANGLADESH is the State of the Operator under the definitions provided in Annex 6 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. 
1.1.2 ABBREVIATIONS 
The following abbreviations are used in ANO (AOC). 
(a) AOC – Air Operator Certificate ; (b) OPS SPEC- Operations Specifications; (c) AMO – Approved Maintenance Organization; (d) MRO- Maintenance Repair and Overhaul 
[...]
1.1.5 COMPLIANCE WITH AN AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE  
i. No operator shall operate an aircraft in commercial air transport unless that operator holds an AOC for the operations being conducted. 
[...]
1.1.8 CATEGORIES OF AOC Based on the type and class of operations, Air Operator Certificate is categorized as mentioned below and shall include: 
Category A1:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (passenger & cargo) both in international and domestic sectors by Aeroplane.  
Category A2:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (passenger & cargo) in domestic sectors by Aeroplane. 
Category B1:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (passenger & cargo) both in international and domestic sectors by Helicopter.  
Category B2:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (passenger & cargo) in domestic sectors by Helicopter. 
Category C1:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (all cargo) both in international and domestic sectors by Aeroplane.  
Category C2:  Schedule and/or non-schedule operations (all cargo) in domestic sectors by Aeroplane. 
Note 1: Requirements for issue of AOC mentioned in this ANO shall be applicable for all categories. Type and class of operation shall not be exchanged from one category to another. AOC holder in the category A2 or B2 shall be entitled to attain Category-A1 or B1 respectively (A2 to A1, B2 to B1) subject to fulfillment of minimum 01 (one) year of satisfactory domestic operations. However, upon application of an applicant/operator, CAAB may issue an AOC in the category C1 or C2 directly subject to comply with the applicable requirements of CAAB. 
[...]
1.2  AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUED VALIDITY 
1.2.1 APPLICABILITY  
Subpart 1.2 provides requirements applicable to the certification and continued validity of all AOC holders. 
1.2.2 ADMINISTRATION 
1.2.2.1 BASE OF OPERATIONS   
i. Each AOC holder shall maintain a principal base of operations in Bangladesh.  
ii. Each AOC holder that is authorized to conduct maintenance under CAAB ANO (AW) Part-145 requirements shall maintain a principal base of operations and principal base of maintenance either at the same location or at separate locations in Bangladesh. [...]" (Air Navigation Order on Air Operator Certification and Continued Compliance, dated 30 November 2021)
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"3. Applicability and Scope of the Circular:
3.1 This Air Transport Circular shall be applicable to all Bangladeshi Companies/ Enterprises/ organizations/ Firms and any other legal entities duly registered under the rules and regulations of the Government of Bangladesh, intend to hold or have held any License from CAAB to provide Operational Services to the Foreign Air Operators/ Airlines/ Agencies intending to operate Non-schedule Flights by Foreign registered aircraft into or in transit across Bangladesh. 
3.2 Any Organization/Agency/Entity must possess a valid OSPL issued by CAAB to provide Operational Services to the Foreign Air Operators/Airlines/Agencies intending to operate Non-schedule Flights by Foreign registered aircraft into or in transit across Bangladesh. 
[...]
4. Types of Operational Services: 
Any of the following services will be considered as operational services provided to the foreign air operators/airlines/agencies intending to operate Non-schedule Flights by foreign registered aircraft: a. Getting flight clearance(s), b. Preparing flight documentation(s), c. Flight planning, d. Providing ground transports for the crew and passengers to and from the aircraft, e Handling of excess baggage formalities, f. Handling of customs and immigration formalities etc. g. Assisting the operators to pay aeronautical/non-aeronautical bills/charges. h. Any other assistances/logistics, having prior approval of CAAB, for the safe, efficient & expeditious conduct of the flight. 
[...]
Pre-qualification for Application of License
8.1 Eligibility The applicant intending to get license to provide the operational services to nonschedule flights by foreign registered aircraft shall fulfill the following requirements:
a. The organization/company/enterprise/entity/agency shall be formally registered with the Joint Stocks Companies and Firms in accordance with the rules and regulations of Government of Bangladesh. 
b. Shall be owned by Bangladeshi national(s) and at least one of the owners shall have minimum 3 (Three) years' experience in flight operation activities. 
c. In case of interested foreign investors, a Joint Venture is required where a minimum of 51% shares of the company must be held by Bangladeshi person(s). In this case, the Chairman or the Managing Director has to be a Bangladeshi national throughout the tenure of their operation as an OSPL holder and one of the Bangladeshi Director/Partner shall have a minimum of 3 (Three) years' experience in flight operation activities. [...]" (AIR TRANSPORT CIRCULAR No. 01/2018 on Provisions of Operational Services to Non-schedule Flights by Foreign Registered Aircraft into or in transit across Bangladesh, dated 11 September 2018)
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" 1. Introduction and Statement
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as the owner and operator of all airports, has established these requirements which shall be considered as minimum requirements applicable to any person / organization providing or seeking to provide business services of Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) / Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) as CAAB Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organization for line and base maintenance for aircraft and/or components in Bangladesh. 
[...]
2. Definitions: [...]
"Operator" shall mean an organization providing the services of Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO) / Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) as Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organization in Bangladesh.
[...]
9. General Requirements 
9.1 Applicability This ANO is applicable for the organization intends to provide services in the field of aircraft and/or component maintenance not having any registered aircraft in Bangladesh. [...]
9.10 Provision of Joint Venture with any Foreign AMO/MRO  
9.10.1 Applicant may establish an AMO/MRO in Bangladesh through joint venture with any Part-145 approved foreign organization.   
9.10.2 In case of such arrangement, the applicant must be registered in the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies & Firms (RJSC) in Bangladesh as per company law and Joint Venture is required where a minimum of 51% shares must be held by Bangladeshi person(s).   
9.10.3 Any foreign entity willing to establish the AMO/MRO in Bangladesh shall fall under this provision. [...]"(Air Navigation Order on the Establishment of AMO/MRO  in Bangladesh, 8 May 2017)
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"2. DEFINITIONS Following terms, when used in this ANO, have the meanings assigned to them. Any term used hereunder but not defined, shall have the same meaning as given in Civil Aviation Authority Act, 2017 and Civil Aviation Act, 2017 and relevant Annexes of the ICAO. [...]
2.9 GROUND HANDLING: means:  2.9.1 Ramp handling which shall include the activities of aircraft handling, aircraft servicing, aircraft cleaning, loading and unloading, cargo handling, fueling, catering, ground service equipment handling & security;  2.9.2 Traffic handling which shall include the activities of passenger handling, terminal services, flight operations, surface transport, representational services, security screening; and  2.9.3 Any other activity specified by the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to be a part of either ramp handling or traffic handling.  
2.10 GROUND HANDLING SERVICE PROVIDER: A person, company, provider, airlines, organization or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in ground handling of aircraft operation in accordance with the requirements of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. 
[...]
4. APPLICABILITY 4.1 This Air Navigation Order is applicable to any service provider intends to provide Ground Handling Services at any airport(s) in Bangladesh which is, hereinafter referred to as the GHSP. 
[...]
11. CATEGORY OF LICENSE 
11.1 Category-A (International & Domestic) Ground Handling Service to any international and domestic airlines operating to and from Bangladesh. 
11.2 Category-B (Domestic) Ground Handling Service to any domestic airlines operating within Bangladesh. 
11.3 Category-C (Self Handling) This license is limited to Bangladeshi AOC holders to provide ground handling service for the aircrafts operated under their AOC. 
[...]
13. ADMINISTRATIVE QUALIFICATION
13.1 The intended GHSP must be registered in the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies & Firms (RJSC) in Bangladesh as per company law. 
13.2 In case of interested foreign companies, a Joint Venture is required where a minimum of 51% shares must be held by Bangladeshi person(s). In the joint venture company, the Chairman or the Managing Director has to be a Bangladeshi national throughout the tenure of their operation as a GHSP.  
13.3 Basic Qualification for application:  
13.3.1 For Category-A, intended GHSP must possess minimum 2 (two) years' experience in providing ground handling service as Category-B in any international airport or 4 (four) years' experience in providing ground handling service as CategoryC in any international airport.  
13.3.2 For Category-B, intended GHSP must possess minimum 2 (two) years' experience as Ground Handling Service Provider to any domestic/international airport as Category-C. 
13.4 Basic qualification for application involving foreign entity: 
13.4.1 In case of Category-A, interested foreign company must have minimum 05 (five) years of experience as Ground Handling Service Provider to at least 3 (three) international airports of minimum 2 (two) different countries with a minimum capability to provide ground handling services for 30 aircrafts (minimum weight 64,000 kg each) per day.  
13.4.2 For Category-B, only the foreign allied company must have minimum 03 (three) years of experience as Ground Handling Service Provider to at least 3 (three) international airports with a minimum capability to provide ground handling services for 20 aircrafts (minimum weight 19,505 kg each) per day.  
13.5 In case of Joint Venture with foreign company, the foreign allied company's qualification shall be treated as minimum qualification for GHSP and assessed as per the requirements under the purview of this ANO.  Moreover, personnel appointed by the foreign allied company must have valid work permit and complete all formalities as per government requirements. Any foreign entity willing to get the GHSP license in Bangladesh shall fall under this provision.  
13.6 Adequate insurance coverage covering third party liabilities (damage of any infrastructure, other moveable or immovable properties, equipment, lives and any public property within and outside airport premises on which the license issued) must be ensured by GHSP. [...]" (Air Navigation Order on Ground Handling Service of 2018 No. CAAB/101/130/FSR/ANO-30-01/2018-69)
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" [text not reproduced] (Circular on Requirements to Appoint a General Sales Agent (GSA) by Foreign Air Operators in Bangladesh)
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"SRO No. 247-Act/2017/62/Customs. - Customs Act, 1969 (Act No. IV of 1969) vide section 219 (1), vide item 21 of the THIRD SCHEDULE, by virtue of the powers conferred therein, the National Board of Revenue amended the Customs Agents Licensing Rules, 2016 as under, namely:- 
40 (forty) numbers, brackets and words mentioned in the provision 8 of the aforesaid rules. Instead the number, brackets and words "49 (fifty nine)" shall be substituted. [...]" (National Board of Revenue SRO No. 247-Act/2017/62/Customs, dated 23 July 2017 [google translation])
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"2. Definitions.- Unless there is anything contrary to the subject or context, in these Rules-
(a) "Act" means the Customs Act, 1969 (Act No. IV of 1969);
(b) "customs agent" means any person or establishment engaged in carrying out any work related to the entry or exit of any vehicle or the import or export of any goods or baggage, whether or not for the purposes of section 207 of the Act;  
[...]
8. Restrictions on grant of licence.- Notwithstanding anything contained in other provisions of these Rules, no license shall be granted under these Rules to a wholly foreign owned establishment: 
However, it is provided that the company established under domestic and foreign joint ownership will be eligible to get a license, if the amount of shares held by the foreign owner or owners does not exceed 40 (forty) percent of the total shares of the said company.[...]" (Customs and Freight Agents Licensing Rules, 2016, as amended [google translation]).
Civil Aviation Act No 18 of 2017
Air Navigation Order on Air Operator Certification and Continued Compliance, dated 30 November 2021
AIR TRANSPORT CIRCULAR No. 01/2018 on Provisions of Operational Services to Non-schedule Flights by Foreign Registered Aircraft into or in transit across Bangladesh, dated 11 September 2018
Air Navigation Order on the Establishment of AMO/MRO  in Bangladesh, 8 May 2017
Air Navigation Order on Ground Handling Service of 2018 No. CAAB/101/130/FSR/ANO-30-01/2018-69
Circular No 3 of 2018 on Requirements to Appoint a General Sales Agent (GSA) by Foreign Air Operators in Bangladesh, No. CAAB/101/92/FSR/371, 3 December 2018.
[<a href="http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/upload/act/2023-03-22-10-17-05-78.বেসরকারি-বিমান-চলাচল-আইন,-২০১৭.pdf">Act</a>],[<a href="http://www.caab.gov.bd/ano/anoaocairn.pdf">Order</a>],[<a href="http://www.caab.gov.bd/AT/7.pdf">Circular</a>],[<a href="http://www.caab.gov.bd/ano/amomro.pdf">Order</a>],[<a href="http://www.caab.gov.bd/ano/aocgh.pdf">Order</a>],[<a href="http://www.caab.gov.bd/AT/3.pdf">Circular</a>]