Bangladesh Eyes Fresh Chinese Investment as PM Visits Beijing

Bangladesh is expecting a new wave of Chinese investment as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman begins an official visit to China from 23rd-26th June, with the government stepping up efforts to attract foreign capital into manufacturing and export-oriented industries.

According to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), potential Chinese investments worth around US $400 million are currently under discussion. The agency expects the figure to increase further through business engagements and investment promotion activities scheduled during the visit.

As part of the trip, the prime minister is expected to meet leading Chinese business executives to showcase investment opportunities in Bangladesh and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Nahian Rahman Rochi, Executive Member and Head of Business Development at BIDA, said Chinese investment could emerge as one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) for Bangladesh in the coming years. He noted that strategic initiatives, including the Chinese Economic Zone, were creating new opportunities for investors seeking to expand their presence in the country.

BIDA currently oversees an investment pipeline comprising nearly 70 companies from 20 countries. Established in 2025, the pipeline includes proposed investments valued at approximately US $1.5 billion. The agency is targeting an increase in the pipeline’s value to US $3 billion by the end of 2026.

Progress on the government-to-government Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara, Chattogram, is also expected to feature prominently during the visit. Discussions are likely to cover plans for a second Chinese economic zone in Mongla, as well as the proposed establishment of a BIDA representative office in China.

China remains one of Bangladesh’s most significant investment partners. According to data from Bangladesh Bank, net FDI inflows into Bangladesh rose 39.36% year on year to US $1.77 billion in 2025, with China ranking as the country’s second-largest source of foreign investment after the Netherlands.