Chinese firms pledge over $9.2b investment

Bangladesh secured investment commitments worth more than US$9.2 billion from a dozen leading Chinese companies during a high-level investment meeting in Beijing, marking one of the largest single-day foreign investment pledges received by the country in recent years.

The commitments, announced in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, span a wide range of sectors including transport infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, education, environmental protection and agriculture, underscoring growing economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

The largest investment proposal came from Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Co. Ltd. (SRBG), which pledged US$4.5 billion for the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project.

The proposed investment is expected to significantly improve connectivity along Bangladesh’s busiest economic corridor and strengthen the country’s transport infrastructure.

Another major commitment was made by Zhongxin Environmental Protection Group, which proposed investing US$1.65 billion in an e-waste recycling and disposal industrial park at the Payra Port Industrial Zone.

The project aims to support Bangladesh’s environmental sustainability goals while creating new industrial opportunities in waste management.

Waste-to-energy development also featured prominently during the discussions.

Shanghai SUS Environment Co., Ltd. announced plans to invest US$800 million in waste-to-energy plants in Narayanganj, Gazipur and other areas, seeking to convert municipal waste into electricity while addressing growing urban waste challenges.

In the economic zone sector, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) proposed a US$650 million investment to establish an industrial park at the Mongla Port Economic Zone.

The project includes the development of manufacturing and logistics facilities as well as renewable energy infrastructure aimed at enhancing industrial productivity and export competitiveness.

The energy sector attracted further interest from China Future Energy Group Holdings Limited, which pledged US$250 million for gas field exploration and development in Bangladesh. The company also expressed interest in biotechnology-related ventures.

Bangladesh’s manufacturing ambitions received a boost through several investment proposals. Shenzhen Kaifa Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. committed US$250 million to establish electric smart meter manufacturing facilities, while CRRC Ziyang Co. Ltd. proposed US$190 million for a rolling stock assembly plant in partnership with Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF).

The textile sector also featured among the proposed investments. Huaxin Textile Industry Co. Ltd. announced plans to invest US$190 million in recycled cotton and yarn production, alongside cylindrical lithium battery manufacturing and a 200MW solar power facility within the Payra Port Industrial Zone.

Logistics services are expected to receive a significant upgrade through a US$180 million investment proposal from SF Express.

The company intends to develop cold-chain logistics and bonded warehousing facilities in Mongla to support Bangladesh’s expanding e-commerce, agricultural and export sectors.

The education sector emerged as another area of cooperation. China Kepei Education Group proposed a US$270 million vocational education industrial park in collaboration with Bangladesh’s Daffodil Group.

The project includes plans for a modern application-oriented university and training facilities capable of accommodating up to 30,000 students, helping address the country’s demand for skilled manpower.

In agriculture, China Shandong Zhongxin Pharmaceutical Co., Limited pledged US$190 million to develop a large-scale Chinese medicinal herb cultivation industry.

The project envisages the cultivation of approximately 25,000 bighas of land and is expected to create employment opportunities for around 50,000 families, with particular emphasis on women’s participation.

China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) also expressed interest in expanding investments in Bangladesh’s renewable energy and waste-to-energy sectors, although specific financial figures were not disclosed during the meeting.

Officials said the proposed investments reflect growing confidence among Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh’s economic prospects and investment environment.

The projects are expected to contribute to industrial diversification, technology transfer, job creation and infrastructure modernisation.

The investment commitments cover a broad spectrum of strategic industries and align with Bangladesh’s long-term development objectives, including sustainable industrialisation, enhanced connectivity, green growth and human resource development.

If realised, the proposed projects would represent a major boost to Bangladesh’s economic transformation agenda and further strengthen economic ties between Dhaka and Beijing.