The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called on Chinese investors to boost their investments in Bangladesh to address the existing trade gap, which stands at approximately $17.5 billion.
During a meeting in Dhaka on Wednesday, FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen deliberated on this matter.
Although bilateral trade between the two countries has grown significantly in the last decade, Bangladesh’s exports to China remain substantially lower than its imports. In the fiscal year 2024-25, Bangladesh exported goods valued at about $694 million to China, while imports reached nearly $18.19 billion.
This resulted in imports from China being approximately 26 times higher than exports, underscoring the importance of broadening export horizons and enticing more investments from Chinese enterprises.
Fazlul encouraged Chinese entrepreneurs to consider investing in Bangladesh’s special economic zones, particularly in Chattogram and Khulna, emphasizing that increased Chinese investments could aid in diversifying Bangladesh’s exports and reducing the trade deficit.
He also emphasized the necessity for enhanced institutional collaboration between FBCCI, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) to facilitate trade and investments.
“Fostering closer institutional ties between the business communities of both nations is crucial for expanding trade and investments,” Fazlul remarked.
He also urged the Chinese authorities to streamline visa procedures for Bangladeshi business travelers heading to China, highlighting that smoother business travel arrangements would bolster commercial relationships.
Ambassador Yao expressed readiness from the Chinese embassy to collaborate closely in elevating bilateral trade relations to new heights.
He identified electric vehicles, fruits, processed agricultural products, renewable energy, and tourism as promising sectors for Chinese trade and investments in Bangladesh.
The meeting was attended by FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir and senior officials from the Chinese embassy.
