A day-long “China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade” was held today in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), with participation from the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
The Chief Guest at the conference was the Honorable Chief Advisor to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Special Guest was Mr. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China. In addition, top representatives from both governments, diplomatic missions, and the business sectors participated in the conference. The event was moderated by the Executive Chairmen of BEZA and BIDA.
BIDA’s Head of Business Development, Nahiyan Rochi, gave a presentation on Bangladesh’s investment policies and environment. The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, also delivered a speech. Furthermore, the presidents of four leading Chinese business chambers addressed the audience.
Participants of the Conference Included:
- Around 250 investors and business representatives from 143 Chinese companies
- Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and representatives of business organizations
- Representatives from six Fortune 500 companies
Notable Companies Present:
- Textiles: Hongdou Group Co., Ltd. and Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group – a global textile powerhouse
- Fluid-Conveying Products: Meide Group – the world’s leading manufacturer and solutions specialist in this sector
- Solar Sector: Huantai Energy Co., Ltd. – a solar photovoltaic silicon wafer manufacturer
- Economic Zone Development: PowerChina and China Road and Bridge Corporation
- Metallurgical Industry: Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd. – the world’s largest metallurgical contractor
- Agribusiness: Sichuan Xinhe Industrial Co., Ltd. and Laiwu Manhing Vegetables Fruits Co., Ltd.
The Four Major Chinese Business Chambers Represented:
- China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME)
- China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS)
- China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA)
- China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT)
Key Topics in the Technical Session:
- Investment environment and economic zones in Bangladesh
- Joint ventures in the garments and textile sector
- Technology transfer in electronics and machinery industries
- Investment opportunities in agriculture and food processing
Nearly 550 business representatives from China and Bangladesh took part in these discussions. Chinese businesses expressed strong interest in investing in various sectors in Bangladesh.
Bilateral Meetings:
More than 100 B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) meetings took place during the conference, where entrepreneurs from both countries exchanged ideas on potential joint ventures. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed over the next two days, including meetings with different government departments.
MoU Signing:
A memorandum of understanding was signed between BEZA and PowerChina International Group Limited for establishing a Chinese Agri-Voltaics Economic Zone in Matlab Uttar Upazila of Chandpur district.
A New Era in Bangladesh-China Economic Cooperation: This marks the first time since Bangladesh’s independence that such a large delegation of foreign investors and businesspeople has visited the country simultaneously. It is a direct outcome of the government’s visionary investment initiatives, the Chief Advisor’s recent visit to China, and the investment summit held in April. The growing interest from Chinese investors signals a significant opportunity for Bangladesh’s economic future.
