Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to begin an official visit to China amid growing expectations of strengthening long-standing economic and development cooperation between the two countries.
The visit has generated optimism among government officials, business leaders and investors who believe it could open new avenues for trade, investment, technology transfer and infrastructure development.
After concluding his two-day official visit to Malaysia, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to the Chinese port city of Dalian on Monday night.
According to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with China’s top leadership during the visit.
The discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, development cooperation, infrastructure projects, energy security, digital economy initiatives and regional connectivity.
“Expansion of Chinese investment, accelerated implementation of ongoing projects and measures to narrow Bangladesh’s trade gap with China would receive priority in the discussions,” the Foreign Secretary said.
He also said that between 15 and 17 bilateral instruments, including memorandums of understanding (MoUs), agreements, action plans and protocols, are expected to be signed during the visit.
As part of his China tour, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, widely known as the Summer Davos Forum.
He is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at a session titled “Climate Leadership in a Shifting Global Landscape” and hold meetings with world leaders and senior international officials attending the forum.
Later in Beijing, the Prime Minister will meet leaders of the Communist Party of China, officials of the Export-Import Bank of China and representatives of other key institutions.
On June 25, he will deliver a keynote address at the Bangladesh Investment Forum organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), highlighting investment opportunities and economic prospects in Bangladesh.
Business leaders have welcomed the visit, describing it as an important opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) President Md Khorshed Alam said the visit could add a new dimension to bilateral economic relations.
“Although Chinese investors have long shown interest in Bangladesh’s industrial, energy, technology and agricultural sectors, investment has not yet reached the desired level,” he said.
He noted that greater Chinese investment, technology transfer and industrial cooperation could significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s production capacity and capital market.
Yousef Xu, Executive Director for South Asia of Chinese infrastructure company CCECC, said Chinese businesses remain highly interested in investing in Bangladesh.
“The high-level visit would further strengthen diplomatic relations and play an important role in expanding trade and investment,” he said.
Chinese business representatives are also expected to participate in the Bangladesh Investment Forum to explore new opportunities and gain firsthand knowledge about Bangladesh’s investment climate.
According to Commerce Ministry sources, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China currently stands between US$22 billion and US$25 billion annually.
However, Bangladesh’s exports remain relatively low compared to imports, resulting in a significant trade imbalance.
Business leaders believe the gap can be reduced by increasing exports of readymade garments, leather products, agricultural goods, light engineering products and processed food items to the Chinese market.
They also stressed that greater investment, technology transfer and infrastructure cooperation could significantly boost Bangladesh’s industrial growth and export competitiveness.
Stakeholders expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s visit would help strengthen the economic partnership between Bangladesh and China and pave the way for broader cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development.
