Bangladesh and China ink two MoUs to strengthen trade and investment ties

Business Report :

Bangladesh and China on Saturday signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at forming a Joint Working Group and enhancing cooperation in e-commerce, as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade, investment, and commercial relations.

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao signed the MoUs on behalf of their respective governments at a hotel in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, in a bid to strengthen bilateral trade relations and attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI), a daylong “Bangladesh-China Conference on Investment and Trade” is set to be held on Sunday, June 1, at “Biniyog Bhaban” (Investment Building) in Dhaka.

The landmark event is being jointly organised by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), two of the country’s key investment facilitation bodies.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao arrived in Dhaka with a primary focus on exploring trade and investment prospects and further elevating the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between the two nations. He is leading a delegation comprising representatives from over 100 Chinese enterprises.

During a bilateral meeting with the Chinese delegation, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin called for Chinese support in introducing advanced drone technology into Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce, such technological cooperation would significantly enhance trade and innovation between the two countries.

Highlighting the transformative potential of drone technology in agriculture, Bashir underscored its application in fertilization, seed sowing, and pesticide spraying.

He noted, “China’s experience and technological advancements could bring about a revolution in Bangladesh’s agricultural practices.”

The Commerce Adviser also emphasized the country’s demographic advantage and competitive labor costs, urging increased Chinese investment in key sectors such as leather and leather goods, light engineering, agricultural machinery, agri-tech, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.

In response, Minister Wang Wentao reiterated China’s willingness to deepen collaboration in technological and investment sectors. He affirmed that China is prepared to support Bangladesh with agricultural and digital technologies aimed at boosting productivity through smart agriculture and drone-based solutions.

Responding to Bangladesh’s request for cooperation in the fisheries and maritime sectors, Wang expressed China’s readiness to assist in harnessing the country’s vast marine resources and developing its fisheries industry.

Referring to the recent celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Chinese Minister highlighted China’s continued involvement in numerous development projects in Bangladesh, which have contributed to the country’s socio-economic progress and benefited a broad segment of the population.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism that bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and technology would be further deepened in the future.

The conference is expected to serve as a high-profile platform for enhancing investment flows from China into Bangladesh, with the ultimate goal of fostering industrial growth, technology transfer, and job creation. Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the event as the chief guest.

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is also expected to attend, underscoring the importance the Chinese government attaches to economic cooperation with Bangladesh.

According to officials from BIDA, the event will welcome around 250 Chinese investors and business delegates, representing nearly 100 prominent Chinese enterprises.

Among them will be high-level executives from six to seven Fortune 500 companies, reflecting the scale and seriousness of the engagement. This impressive turnout indicates growing confidence among Chinese investors in Bangladesh’s economic prospects and policy reforms.

Throughout the day, the conference will feature five dedicated match-making sessions aimed at bringing together Chinese and Bangladeshi business leaders to explore partnership opportunities.

These sessions will focus on a variety of key sectors including ready-made garments (RMG) and textiles, agro-processing, information and communication technology (ICT), electronics, infrastructure, and more.

These sectors have been carefully selected for their potential to drive industrial diversification and increase value-added production in Bangladesh.

For instance, Bangladesh’s RMG sector-already the second-largest in the world-has begun moving toward more high-end manufacturing, and partnerships with Chinese textile firms could facilitate technology upgrades and design innovation.

Similarly, agro-processing offers vast potential, as Bangladesh is an agricultural country seeking to modernize and commercialize its food production chain. Joint ventures with Chinese companies could enhance productivity, logistics, and export readiness.

In the field of electronics and ICT, Bangladesh has seen rapid growth in recent years, supported by government initiatives such as Digital Bangladesh and the development of hi-tech parks across the country. Chinese investors with technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities could significantly contribute to transforming Bangladesh into a competitive player in global electronics and software markets.

Historically, Bangladesh and China have enjoyed warm diplomatic and economic relations, with China being one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners. Trade volume between the two nations has steadily increased, and China remains a major source of machinery, construction materials, and industrial inputs for Bangladesh.

At the same time, Chinese firms have invested in several large infrastructure projects under Bangladesh’s mega-project umbrella, including bridges, highways, and power plants.

Notably, China has shown growing interest in investing in Bangladesh’s economic zones.

The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara, Chattogram-set up exclusively for Chinese investors-is a flagship initiative under the umbrella of BEZA. The zone aims to host export-oriented industries and has already drawn commitments from several firms.

Events like this upcoming conference serve to accelerate progress on such initiatives and expand the pipeline of potential investments.

BIDA officials highlighted that the match-making sessions are designed not just for exchanging business cards, but for building concrete partnerships and initiating joint ventures.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the event, paving the way for long-term collaboration across sectors. The organizers have also arranged special networking sessions to encourage informal dialogue among participants, recognizing the value of personal rapport in business negotiations.

In the broader context, this conference aligns with Bangladesh’s vision to become a developed nation by 2041. Attracting strategic foreign investment is essential to achieving that goal, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and value-added exports. China’s experience in industrialization and its capacity to invest in large-scale ventures makes it a natural partner in Bangladesh’s development journey.

As both countries look to deepen their economic cooperation, the Bangladesh-China Conference on Investment and Trade represents a timely and strategic effort. It is not just a business meeting, but a statement of intent-reflecting a shared commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous future through collaboration, innovation, and mutual trust.