Dhaka, March 28 -- Entrepreneurs seeking to start a new business in Bangladesh face significant challenges in obtaining the necessary documents and clearances.

From banks to government offices, many report experiences of harassment and additional unofficial costs.

Md Hasanuzzaman, the owner of HZ Trading, shared his journey with The New Nation.

He initially obtained an exporter licence from Jashore Municipality but had to pay Tk 3,000 extra beyond the government-fixed fee.

Afterward, he secured his business identification number (BIN) and tax identification number (TIN), both essential for an export business.

To proceed, he required membership in a traders' association, which cost him Tk 3,600 more than the official fee. He then soug...