Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said that there are many challenges to investing in Bangladesh, particularly in the infrastructure, energy, and port sectors.

“Despite these hurdles, Chinese companies remain keen to invest more in the country,” he said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation” at Hotel Westin in the capital, organised by the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB).

The ambassador said Chinese companies would play a stronger role in Bangladesh and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. “Bangladesh is currently undergoing a phase of transformation,” he said, adding, “However, under the leadership of Chief Advisor Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, the country continues to move forward.”

He further said that CEAB is working to expand trade and investment in various sectors in Bangladesh. However, if the country’s investment climate becomes more favourable, Chinese companies could play a much greater role.

Yao Wen added that China and Bangladesh have the right to safeguard their mutual interests in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. With that objective, a trilateral meeting was recently held in Kunming, where Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan agreed to cooperate in 12 sectors. These include trade, industry, environment, water resource management, and cultural collaboration.

“The foundation of this trilateral cooperation is mutual trust,” he said, emphasising that the meeting was not aimed at targeting any other country.

In his address as chief guest, Ashik Chowdhury, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), said that any country is welcome to invest in Bangladesh and that BIDA is ready to facilitate such investment. To boost Chinese investment, a BIDA office will be opened in China. He also mentioned the absence of a China Town in Bangladesh and proposed establishing one in Dhaka.

Other speakers at the seminar included Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission; Han Kun, President of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh; Shish Hayder Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division; Delowara Begum, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping; Sahela Akter, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Dr Mokhsed Ali, Joint Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division; and Abdus Salam Bepari, Chief Engineer of Dhaka WASA.