PM invites China firms to join Bangladesh’s growth story

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited Chinese companies to expand their manufacturing and supply networks into Bangladesh and co-author the “next great Asian economic miracle.”

“We are inviting Chinese companies to extend their value chains into Bangladesh. We can help Chinese companies serve global markets while benefiting from growing domestic demand,” he said while addressing the Bangladesh Investment Forum at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing yesterday.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), was attended by business leaders, industrialists and institutional investors.

“Bangladesh is inviting you to co-author the next great Asian economic miracle. Many Chinese investors are already operating in Bangladesh. They can speak about our people, our resilience and our potential. They can tell you that Bangladesh can deliver,” he said.

Tarique Rahman invited more Chinese companies to visit Bangladesh, saying his government is firmly committed to ensuring that their investments will be valued, their concerns heard, and their growth supported through a more responsive investment ecosystem.

“Let us move forward from this forum with a shared determination to transform the opportunities in this region towards a long-term sustainable growth, economic development and mutual prosperity for both Bangladesh and China,” he said.

“Come to Bangladesh. Invest in Bangladesh. Let us prosper together in a true partnership of equals,” he added.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is undergoing a monumental economic and governance transformation.

“We are at a critical point of our journey, and I can clearly say that Bangladesh is open for business, ready for the future, and keen to work with China, one of our longstanding and trusted friends,” he said.

China is moving up the global value chain, with its companies becoming leaders in advanced manufacturing, high-value infrastructure and clean energy, he said. As parts of its manufacturing ecosystem seek new, competitive and trusted locations, Bangladesh can be one of them, he added.

“This is a complementary, practical and win-win relationship,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said his government has adopted a rigorous 180-Day Action Plan to overhaul institutions dealing with international capital.

“Through this plan, we are targeting bureaucratic inertia head-on. We are improving long-term policy continuity, reducing overlapping regulatory processes, and digitalising government services to improve transparency, predictability and speed,” he said.

Foreign investors can expect non-discriminatory treatment, repatriation of capital and dividends in line with the country’s laws and regulations, and robust legal protection, he said.

“We are developing dedicated industrial landing points for Chinese investors, including the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara and a second economic zone in Mongla,” said the premier.

These locations provide logistics, port connectivity, utilities, workers, suppliers and a long-term ecosystem, he added.

“We are also working with China to upgrade our bilateral investment treaty so that investors can have stronger confidence, clearer protection and a more modern framework for investment,” he said.

He also mentioned that Bida now has a dedicated relationship management desk for Chinese investors, and that there is also a dedicated website for Chinese investors so that sector opportunities, incentives and processes can be accessed more easily.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that Bangladesh would soon open its first “Investment Office” in China.

“The government is about to start a new licensing approval process, which will allow new businesses to start operations in Bangladesh in less than 15 days,” said the prime minister.

Bida Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury delivered a presentation on the investment opportunities and incentives available in Bangladesh to Chinese business leaders.

A total of 125 Chinese business representatives participated in the conference.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO spokesman Mahdi Amin, and Deputy Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, among others, were also present.