The Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) on Tuesday called for a joint plan of action to remove trade bottlenecks and strengthen bilateral commercial cooperation.
A BCCCI delegation, led by President Mohd. Khorshed Alam and Secretary General Jamilur Rahman, paid a courtesy call on CEAB President Han Kun at the CEAB office in Dhaka to discuss existing challenges and future collaboration.
Speaking at the meeting, BCCCI President Khorshed Alam stressed the importance of the textile sector to the economy and said Bangladesh welcomes joint ventures with Chinese investors, particularly in reviving sick or non-operational factories. He said restoring idle units would deliver better commercial outcomes than setting up new ones, adding that BCCCI is ready to extend support, including facilitation to speed up SB clearance processes for CEAB members.
CEAB President Han Kun identified key areas for deeper cooperation, including infrastructure development, G2G projects, power and renewable energy, and trade in construction materials. He said coordinated efforts by the two bodies would help address policy challenges and resolve long-pending issues more effectively.
BCCCI Secretary General Jamilur Rahman proposed forming a joint working body with representatives from both organisations to identify and resolve trade-related disputes and operational obstacles faced by Bangladeshi and Chinese businesses.
Senior Vice President of BCCCI A.Z.M. Azizur Rahman highlighted the strategic opportunity for greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh, noting the growing presence of Chinese firms in the Export Processing Zones.
CEAB representatives also shared sector-specific insights. Lin Hai, Vice President of CEAB and head of its ICT branch, underlined the rising importance of 5G, macro technologies and smartphone innovation, and called for stronger technology integration in Bangladesh’s education sector. Mike Ge, President of the CEAB Textile and Garments Branch, spoke on the state of the apparel industry and acknowledged the role of Chinese enterprises as key partners in the global supply chain.
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The meeting was also attended by BCCCI Vice Presidents Khandaker Atiqur Rahman and Mohammad Masud Ali Khan, directors Mohammad Amanur Rahman, A.T.M. Altaf Hossain Lotus, Md. Kamruzzaman Ibne Amin, Asif Haque Rupo, and Office Secretary Md. Abu Taher.
CEAB representatives present included Tao Tao, Ma Rui and Zhou Meimei, who shared their investment experiences and observations on the issues discussed.