Invest more in EVs sector in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, currently visiting China, has called on Chinese companies to invest in Bangladesh across various sectors, including the production of electric vehicles (EVs).

During a seminar titled “Our Shared Vision for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity,” held at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) on Thursday, the adviser praised China’s transformative role in providing development assistance and fostering investments in Bangladesh.

He outlined a forward-looking vision for achieving global peace and emphasised the importance of economic cooperation as a key pillar for sustainable development and long-term stability.

In his keynote address, Foreign Adviser highlighted the deep historical ties between Bangladesh and China, which dated back to ancient times and the evolution of relationship into a dynamic partnership through different mechanisms including the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).
He also drew attention to the importance of narrowing trade gaps and fostering regional connectivity to promote equitable growth.
Reflecting on global challenges, Touhid Hossain noted that peace and security are collective responsibilities that demand inclusive economic frameworks and greater emphasis on empowering underrepresented groups, particularly the youth and women.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s successful social initiatives, such as microcredit programmes, pioneered by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, which have empowered rural women and fostered social harmony, and called for similar transformative efforts to uplift the youth.
Referring to the Rohingya crisis, Adviser Hossain stressed on creating a congenial atmosphere in Rakhine State for return of the Rohingyas.
“Both Bangladesh and China have vital interests in resolution of the conflict, and we must cooperate wholeheartedly in bringing about the resolution,” he stated.
In order to realise the shared vision, he underscored the need for working towards strengthening multilateral institutions, expanding investments, deepening people to people exchange and championing global trade system.
The event brought together a distinguished group of participants, including scholars, diplomats, government officials, young researchers, media representatives, senior leadership and experts of SIIS, and officials from the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office.
The programme featured speeches from key participants, including remarks by Dr Yang Jiemian, Director of the Academic Advisory Board at SIIS, and presentations by six renowned experts.
These experts shared insights on topics ranging from economic globalisation to regional stability, triggering rich discussions during the interactive session that followed.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam and the President of SIIS.
Foreign Adviser Hossain also visited a high-tech electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the outskirt of Shanghai where he witnessed the production line of electric vehicles. The plant produces around 500 EV units a day. He urged the Chinese company to consider establishing such a plant in Bangladesh.
Apart from other events, acting Mayor of Shanghai also met Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. During the meeting, both of them underscored the need for enhanced business to business and people to people engagements between Dhaka and Shanghai.
The Acting Mayor extended invitation to Bangladesh to participate at the “Shanghai Tourism Festival” to be held this year. Adviser Hossain conveyed Bangladesh’s interest in participating the festival.
The meeting ended with a lunch hosted by the Acting Mayor of Shanghai in honor of the Foreign Adviser and his delegation.
Foreign Adviser also exchanged views with a delegation from the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce yesterday evening.
During the discussion, they focused on relocation of Chinese manufacturing plants to Bangladesh, particularly to the Chinese SEZ in Chattogram, establishing air connectivity between Chattogram and Shanghai, and exchange and collaboration between the two Chambers.