The Ministry of Commerce recently sent a letter to the establishment ministry proposing expansion of RJSC by setting up new branches in Sylhet, Barisal, Bogra and Comilla, sources said.

At present, Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi offices of RJSC have 40 staff, which will rise to 70 once the new offices are set up.

Sources in the RJSC said the new offices are likely to become redundant like those in Khulna and Rajshahi, which hardly receive any application for registration of companies.

The assistant registrar in charge of those two offices is now attending office in Dhaka and occasionally travels to Rajshahi and Khulna, where the offices are being maintained by peons and night guards only.

Sources said the plan to open the new offices was undertaken and the locations were selected on political consideration.

The Chittagong office having eight officials and employees has some regular registration jobs but a deputy registrar posted there also performs his job staying in Dhaka.

The commerce ministry also suggested creating a post of additional registrar in the Dhaka office where one registrar, one deputy registrar and four assistant registrars are working.

Insiders of RJSC said the government should strengthen the Dhaka office to ensure quality service, instead of setting up new offices.

The Ministry of Commerce recently signed an agreement with SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) and the Australian High Commission to computerise RJSC office and train its officials.

The project will enable online name clearance and registration, submission of documents and issuance of certificate of incorporation, and online processing of post-registration statutory requirements like annual submission of returns by companies.

It will also create an electronic database for the RJSC by digitally archiving all manually preserved files and making digital entry of existing and newly registered companies.

Currently RJSC has over one lakh records including 58,000 companies.

Under the project, an electronic networking will be made between the Dhaka main office and regional offices.

Sources said the existing infrastructure of RJSC should be strengthened by adopting new technology to facilitate trade and commerce.

RJSC accords registration of public limited and private limited companies, trade and other associations and partnership firms, foundations, trusts, societies in accordance with various laws and rules.