Bangladesh secures $2.1 billion in investments from China, including a $1 billion pledge from Chinese companies for manufacturing projects, says Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus.
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| Prof. Muhammad Yunus’ visit to China brings $2.1 billion in investments, with a focus on manufacturing, infrastructure, and social business. An honorary doctorate was awarded to him. |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — March 29, 2025:
Bangladesh has secured a significant financial boost during Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' four-day official visit to China. The country received a commitment of $2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants from Chinese companies and the government, with $1 billion pledged by nearly 30 Chinese companies to establish manufacturing plants in Bangladesh, reports BSS.
The investments, aimed at bolstering key sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, and renewable energy, come as part of a broader strategy to make Bangladesh a manufacturing hub for exports to both Western markets and neighboring Asian countries. During his meetings with top business leaders, Prof. Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s strategic position, noting that the country offers a trade-friendly environment, competitive advantages, and access to landlocked nations like Nepal, Bhutan, and several northeastern Indian states.
"This is the ideal time to set up your factories in Bangladesh," Prof. Yunus stated. "Our country offers incredible opportunities for foreign direct investment, making it the gateway to Asia and beyond."
Prof. Yunus shared his vision of a "New Bangladesh," focused on trade, innovation, and the untapped potential of Bangladeshi youth. Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), reinforced this message, presenting data and sectoral analyses to emphasize Bangladesh's investment appeal. Chowdhury also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving the business climate, such as the collocation of agencies and relationship management models.
The meetings included three high-level roundtable sessions with over 100 CEOs and senior executives from leading Chinese companies, including Longi (the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer), Oppo, China Civil Engineering Construction, and China Biotech. These dialogues signaled strong interest in setting up operations in Bangladesh, with Ms. Li Qingshuang, Vice Chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), further advocating for increased Chinese investment in the country.
Prof. Yunus also participated in a roundtable on social business and the concept of a "new civilization," advocating for zero wealth concentration, zero carbon emissions, and zero unemployment. His call for a new model of sustainable development resonated with leading Chinese academics, including Tsinghua University’s Li Daokui, who praised Yunus’ leadership and offered to host a day-long workshop for Bangladeshi officials to learn from China’s development experience.
On the final day of his visit, Prof. Yunus was awarded an honorary doctorate from Peking University (PKU) in recognition of his global contributions to social and economic development. Following the ceremony, he delivered a lecture on the power of imagination, urging students to envision a world where the impossible becomes possible.
"I always tell students: Imagine big things," Prof. Yunus shared. "If you can imagine it, you can make it happen. If you don’t, it will never happen."
With his visit drawing to a close, Prof. Yunus emphasized that the partnership between China and Bangladesh is poised to accelerate, with expectations for a surge in Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector in the near future. He is set to return to Bangladesh later today, hopeful that this milestone visit will lead to long-term economic growth and collaboration between the two nations.