Commerce Minister, Yunnan Vice Governor hold bilateral talks

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Sunday called for deepening bilateral cooperation with China's Yunnan province across trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and technology sectors, proposing a direct road link between Chattogram and Kunming to cut transit time and freight costs.

The minister made the proposals during a bilateral meeting with a high-level visiting delegation from Yunnan province at the ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Executive Vice Governor of Yunnan Zhao Junmin led the Chinese delegation.

Muktadir noted that establishing an effective road network of approximately 1,200 kilometres from Chattogram to Yunnan's capital Kunming via Myanmar would enable cargo transit within nearly 24 hours. The direct link would substantially curb transport costs and galvanise regional trade and supply-chain logistics between Bangladesh, Myanmar, and south-west China, he added.

Highlighting Yunnan as a vital potential market of roughly 46.4 million consumers, the commerce minister urged authorities to leverage geographic proximity and expedite the implementation of proposed free bonded warehouses and exhibition centres to boost Bangladeshi shipments.

Bilaterally, bilateral trade volume between Bangladesh and Yunnan crossed 1.3 billion yuan in 2025, officials confirmed during the talks.

Zhao Junmin said Bangladesh is the first South Asian nation to come under Yunnan's special trade preference policy. Under this framework, initiatives have been taken to provide bonded warehousing, exhibition spaces, and customs facilitation for Bangladeshi merchandise, which will come into effect shortly.

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Following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Yunnan Department of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, designated display venues have already been selected in Yunnan, Zhao said, urging Bangladeshi businesses to tap into the facility.

Discussions also laid emphasis on launching direct air cargo connectivity. Key potential exports from Bangladesh, such as jute and jute goods, leather items, frozen fish, fruits, and agricultural produce, as well as imports of flowers, fertilisers, and animal feed from Yunnan were reviewed. Establishing direct cargo flights connecting north-eastern Bangladesh would unlock avenues for trade in perishable agri-commodities, officials observed.

The commerce minister also proposed setting up a joint research centre to augment jute productivity and quality in Bangladesh, alongside urging partnerships across energy, e-commerce, and technology.

Muktadir invited Chinese investors, particularly women entrepreneurs from Yunnan, to explore opportunities in Bangladesh. Highlighting ongoing plans to transform the old Sylhet Central Jail premises into an eco-park, he sought technical assistance from Yunnan authorities to develop it along the lines of modern parks in Kunming.

Welcoming the proposals, Zhao reaffirmed Yunnan's commitment to advancing partnerships in trade, investment, and cross-border connectivity.

Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and senior officials from the ministry and the Chinese Embassy were present at the meeting.