Bangladesh can be a first choice for our investment: Chinese business leaders 

Chinese business leaders, participating in the China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade in Dhaka yesterday, said Bangladesh could be the top choice for their investment, describing it as a key South Asian country with a steadily improving investment environment.

Ge Zhenyu (Mike), president of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh Textile and Garment Branch, said Bangladesh could be the first choice for Chinese investors. 

Having lived in Bangladesh since 1990 and owning a medium-sized textile company, he praised the country's policy stability, infrastructure improvements, and global diplomatic acceptance. 

"Bangladesh granted me permanent residence in 2019. Whenever friends ask me about investment opportunities, I recommend Bangladesh," he said.

Zhang Xi'an, vice chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel, also expressed a strong commitment to boosting Chinese investments in Bangladesh.

At the event, Chinese investors showed keen interest in sectors such as renewable energy, advanced textiles and garments, manufacturing industries, lithium batteries, and technology-driven agriculture.

The conference, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), took place at Bida's headquarters in Dhaka. The event was inaugurated by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, while China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao attended as a special guest.

At the closing session, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bida and Beza, reported that about 250 investors and business representatives from 143 Chinese companies participated, alongside numerous Bangladeshi business leaders, bringing total attendance to around 550. 

He expressed optimism about near-term investments, saying, "We expect genuine investments in Bangladesh within the next six, 12, and 24 months. Such a large conference dedicated to a single country is rare, but we organised this with China because we foresee significant foreign direct investment (FDI) coming from there over the next five to 10 years."

Technical sessions at the conference covered Bangladesh's investment climate, economic zones, joint ventures in garments and textiles, Chinese technology transfers in electronics and machinery, and opportunities in agriculture and food processing. 

Beza, PowerChina sign deal

PowerChina International Group Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beza to establish the Chinese Agrivoltaic Economic Zone in Matlab Uttar upazila.

Chowdhury Ashik said approximately 3,000 acres have been allocated for the project, with 1,000 acres initially designated for pilot cultivation alongside solar panel installations. 

"Agrivoltaics refers to shade-friendly agriculture, where crops grow beneath solar panels that provide overhead cover. The project is expected to create around 300 jobs," he added.

The event featured detailed presentations on investment incentives, tax benefits, and customs facilities by Ariful Haque, director general of Strategic Investment at Bida, and Mohammad Al Amin Pramanik, member of the National Board of Revenue. 

Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, and Faria Kabir, executive director of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, highlighted the country's promising investment climate and reaffirmed their support in attracting Chinese investors.

In a session on trade and investment, Abdullah Al Mahmud Faruk, project director of the National Special Economic Zone in Mirsarai, outlined policy frameworks, investment conditions, and prospects for bilateral trade.

Qi Qian, vice president of the China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS), acknowledged past investment plans that fell through but expressed optimism about partnering with local institutions this time.

"I completed a project in Sri Lanka and plan to complete more than 20 in Bangladesh," he said, praising the country's progress in green industries, improved labour market, and dedicated workforce.

Nicole Mao, CEO of Tiger New Energy, which produces lithium batteries and EV battery-swapping tech, said her company has operated in Bangladesh for three years, citing skilled labour and favourable tax policies as drivers of their expansion.

Key participants 

Several prominent Chinese companies participated in the conference, including Hongdou Group and Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group (major textile players), Meide Group (specialists in fluid-conveying products), Huantai Energy (solar photovoltaic silicon wafer manufacturer), PowerChina and China Road and Bridge Corporation (economic zone developers), Metallurgical Corporation of China (the world's largest metallurgical contractor), and agribusiness firms Sichuan Xinhe Industrial and Laiwu Manhing Vegetables Fruits.

Answering questions at a press briefing, Chowdhury Ashik called the event a milestone, noting, "Such a large delegation from a single country has never visited Bangladesh before. We see great investment potential."