The Kunming-Chittagong corridor, currently under discussion, could become a promising trade route linking southwestern China to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. If realized, it would create new opportunities for entrepreneurs in China’s Yunnan province to invest, set up industries and expand trade in Bangladesh. With that potential in mind, the Bangladesh Consulate General in Kunming has invited Yunnan entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s investment potential was highlighted at an “Overseas Investment and Trade Environment Promotion Event,” held under the theme “Connect to the South, Prosper Through Open Cooperation” at the General Association of Yunnan Entrepreneurs in Kunming. The information was shared by Md Kamal Hossain, public relations officer at the Ministry of Commerce.
At the event, Ridwanur Rahman, first secretary (commercial) at the Bangladesh Consulate General in Kunming, gave a presentation titled “Bangladesh as an Investment Destination.”
He said Bangladesh has become an important destination for international investors because of its competitive labor force, industrial land, energy facilities, full electrification and geographic location. He said Bangladesh’s position as a connecting country between South Asia, Southeast Asia and China creates access to a large market for investors.
Highlighting the potential of the Kunming-Chittagong corridor in particular, he said that if the trade route is realized, it could make a direct connection between southwestern China and the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean far more effective. This would allow Yunnan-based industrial and business enterprises to take advantage of Bangladesh’s ports, industrial zones and regional markets.
Ridwanur Rahman also said Bangladesh offers 100 percent ownership opportunities for foreign investors, along with facilities for repatriating invested capital and profits. Bangladesh has bilateral investment treaties with 34 countries, including China, creating a comparatively stable framework for foreign investors.
The event also highlighted the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone under construction in Anwara, Chattogram; the one-stop service of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); export processing zones; hi-tech parks; and more than $4 billion worth of prospective public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
Ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, electronics, electric vehicles, agro-processing, renewable energy, logistics and IT services were cited as promising sectors for investment in Bangladesh.
Ridwanur Rahman said Chinese companies also have special investment opportunities in solar power, energy-storage technology and eco-friendly construction.
After the event, Yunnan entrepreneurs exchanged views with officials from the consulate’s commercial wing on the potential for expanding investment and trade with Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Consulate General in Kunming said it is also working to strengthen trade and investment ties with Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi, alongside Yunnan.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report