BCCCI seeks Chinese bank branch, curbs on bond misuse

The Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) has proposed facilitating the establishment of a branch of a Chinese bank in Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries.

A BCCCI delegation, led by its President Md Khorshed Alam, made the proposal during a courtesy meeting with Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan at the Bangladesh Secretariat today (10 September).

The delegation submitted six written proposals aimed at boosting Bangladesh-China trade and investment.

After the meeting, BCCCI President Khorshed Alam told The Business Standard, "Chinese banks are interested in establishing branches here in Bangladesh. During our last visit to Kunming, we signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese bank to facilitate this."

"However, for unknown reasons, the process on the Bangladesh side, particularly among the relevant authorities, is moving very slowly," he added.

China is Bangladesh's largest trading partner. Khorshed, a leading textile entrepreneur, also said that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China amounted to around $19 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

"Sri Lanka has a Chinese bank branch despite being a smaller trading partner of China. However, Bangladesh still does not have one," he added.

The chamber placed the issue of the misuse of bonded warehouse facilities at the forefront of the discussion, saying the unauthorised sale of bonded goods in the domestic market is creating unfair competition and discouraging potential foreign investment, particularly from China.

The BCCCI called for stronger monitoring and enforcement to prevent such practices and ensure a level playing field for compliant businesses and genuine investors.

Among its other proposals, the chamber called for the establishment of at least 20 permanent display centres for Bangladeshi products in China, measures to increase exports to the Chinese market, greater participation by Bangladeshi businesses in major Chinese trade fairs, and the expansion of technical and vocational cooperation with China.

The delegation also shared observations from Bangladesh's participation in the 10th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, highlighting opportunities to promote Bangladeshi products in China and attract greater Chinese investment to Bangladesh.

BCCCI Senior Vice President Han Jingchao, Senior Vice President AZM Azizur Rahman, Secretary General Jamilur Rahman, and Executive Director Md Abu Taher were present at the meeting.