Impediments to International Integration Project

In 2007 Doulah & Doulah has been awarded the “Impediments to International Integration” Project. Under the project Doulah & Doulah analyzed  the laws, regulation, procedure, consent, permit & License requirements in respect to the thrust investment sectors in Bangladesh e.g. Banking, Insurance, Mobile Operation, Ware House, Aviation, Shipping, Industry etc.  Doulah & Doulah identified policy and regulatory barriers faced by foreign providers who wish to enter these sectors and advised necessary guideline and recommendation for necessary reforms.

Corporate Governance Project

Doulah & Doulah was awarded the World Bank Project “Corporate Governance 2008”. The corporate governance assessments and recommendations are prepared under the joint World Bank/IMF Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) program. It is emphasized on the role of international standards – such as the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance -- in strengthening the international financial architecture. In a world of integrated capital markets, financial crises in individual countries can imperil international financial stability. At the international level, international standards enhance transparency and multilateral surveillance. They highlight weaknesses that may contribute to economic and financial vulnerability, foster market efficiency and discipline, and ultimately contribute to a global economy that is more robust and less prone to crisis. At the national level, such standards help identify vulnerabilities and guide policy reform.

Country Framework Project of European Commission

EC’s Country Framework Project, 2006: Doulah & Doulah as a consortium partner (led by IDC) was awarded the European Commission’s Country Framework Project for the Lot 11 which concerned Macroeconomic / monetary analysis (inclusive privatization policy/effects and aspects related to regional integration) , Fiscal accounts and analysis (Government Financial Statistics), Taxation (direct and indirect, personal and corporate, excises etc.) ,  Treasury, Budget and Debt management,   Central banking (incl. fight against money laundering, monetary policy etc.) , Financial sector regulation (incl. supervision of banking, insurance, pension funds, Stock exchange etc.), Financial instruments for SME development (policy), Insurance sector (incl. insurance accounting and licensing)  ,  Customs legislation and procedures, External trade policy, Privatization and industrial policy, including Public-Private Partnership, Intellectual property, Commercial policy, Sector policies (textile, mining, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, tourism etc.) and Corporate Governance. Under the project we analyzed a few sectors of the lot with follow ups and recommendations.  Doulah & Doulah as a consortium partner (led by ATOS) was awarded the European Commission’s Country Framework Project for the Lot 10 which concerned Investment promotion (domestic and foreign), Small and Medium enterprises (SME) support (inclusive advisory services for management, production, technology, research & development, marketing, partnership, safety, exports promotion, financing, human resources management incl. gender issue, training, environmental impact, production quality, etc.), Commercial banking, inclusive financial services to SMEs (credit lines, equity, guarantees, micro-credits :), guarantee funds, Supporting professional/commercial/advisory bodies (professional associations, decentralized advisory agencies, local consultancy strengthening, chambers of commerce, European Information Correspondence Centers (EICC) networking), Business Centers and Stock exchange. Under the project the firm analyzed a number of sectors of the lot with follow ups and recommendations.

Framework for municipal institutions in Bangladesh:

In 2011 Dr. Amina Khatoon  of Doulah & Doulah were appointed by ADB for reviewing existing published literature on status of municipal laws pertaining to public and environmental health, and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Based on the literature review and global/regional best practices, we recommended the key policy actions for strengthening municipal laws and regulating institutions. We also recommended implementation strategies for successful implementation of various policy actions pertaining to municipal laws provide specific recommendations and strategies for implementing the relevant components.

PPP Implementation:

Mr. Shamsud Doulah of Doulah & Doulah has been framed as a consultant to ADB for the PPP implementation involving compilation of all inventory of all GOB law, policy and procedures as they impact and/or relate to PPP activities; consultation with the International Legal Advisor on review and assessment of documentation complied in , identification areas of deficiencies, impediments or needed amendment and develop reasoned proposals for same, development of principles for concession agreements between GOB parties and private sector entities,  principles for creating an special purpose vehicle to hold development rights to PPP projects developed by PPP Office and determine process for and legal viability of transferring such rights to private sector parties etc.

Investing Across Borders Project:

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank appointed Doulah & Doulah to participate in the Investing Across Borders (IAB) project, a global initiative comparing regulation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in countries across the world. IAB's objective is to stimulate reforms leading to a more business-conducive, transparent and secure environment for foreign investors. IAB's methodology is modeled after the successful Doing Business initiative of the World Bank Group. The project consists of the following areas: 

• Investing Across Sectors (on FDI ownership restrictions across various sectors)

• Starting a Foreign Investment (on establishing a foreign-owned subsidiary, special economic zones and access to industrial land)

• Employing Skilled Expatriates (on immigration law and the applicable legal framework concerning temporary work permits)

• Converting and Transferring Currency (on restrictions to currency convertibility and the transfer of foreign currency across borders)

• Arbitrating and Mediating Disputes (on international and domestic commercial disputes submitted to alternative dispute resolution)