United News of Bangladesh

Chinese investors have demonstrated strong interest in Bangladesh’s key sectors during a series of bilateral engagements between Bangladesh delegation and Chinese investors held in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), led the Bangladesh delegation to China covering Shanghai and Guangzhou from 20–26 July.  More than 100 Chinese investors took part in an investment seminar jointly organised by BIDA and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Shanghai on 21 July, according to BIDA. Chinese investors Handa Industries and New Tiger Energy shared their investment experiences in Bangladesh and offered insights on the country’s evolving investment landscape during the seminar. Alongside the seminar, the delegation held over 25 bilateral meetings with companies exploring new or expanded investments in Bangladesh. Key sectors of interest included renewable energy, ready-made garments (RMG), healthcare, and consumer electronics. Govt initiative needed to restore trust of share market investors: Khosru “We are encouraged by the positive engagement from Chinese companies,” said Ashik Chowdhury.  “These interactions allowed us to highlight recent policy progress in Bangladesh, particularly in areas such as currency stability and the simplification of investment procedures. We were pleased to receive positive feedback from Chinese investors on these initiatives,” he added. The delegation of senior officials from BIDA and BEZA was accompanied by representatives from CitiBank NA, EBL, HSBC and Standard Chartered.  The team also explored avenues for future collaboration with prominent Chinese business associations and members of the non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) community.  In addition, early discussions were held on establishing BIDA’s first overseas office to support sustained investor engagement and facilitation in East Asia, according to BIDA official release.

Top international port operators are being brought in to enhance the efficiency and optimal use of Bangladesh’s land and port capacities, said Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). He said this while briefing reporters after inspecting Chittagong Port’s operational activities, Laldiar Char Terminal and Bay Terminal project on Thursday. The BIDA chairman said many ports across the world are operated by leading global operators without compromising their security, Bangladesh can do the same. “To increase investment and create employment, it is significant to expand and strengthen port operations,” Ashik Chowdhury said, adding that the port and land capabilities of the country will increase several times if the top global operators run those.  Container handling at Ctg Port up 9% in Aug-October: CPA Chairman Assuring of no safety threats if the foreign operators run the ports, he said, "Our goal is to make Bangladesh a manufacturing hub and for that enhancing port capacity is essential,” said the BIDA chairman. Regarding the Bay Terminal, he informed that two foreign firms are set to invest around $ 2 billion in phases which will create huge employment opportunities. “Once operational by 2030, the Bay Terminal is expected to bring a major economic transformation across the region,” he hoped. Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, said the Bay Terminal will be able to accommodate large container vessels (mother vessels) directly and is expected to provide direct employment for 25,000 people alongside creating opportunities for over 100,000 others. Patenga Container Terminal set to open in June: CPA Chairman   Earlier in the day, the BEZA chairman exchanged views with local business leaders at a hotel and later held a press conference at the Circuit House where he shared the future of port operations and development plans.