Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday invited Chinese business leaders to be part of the new Bangladesh and its transformation, urging them to engage extensively in business for mutual benefit.
Dr Yunus encouraged top Chinese companies to invest in Bangladesh and make the country a manufacturing hub to export products to both the West and Asia.
"Bangladesh is the hub for doing business... we could be the production hub of this entire region. Set up your factories in Bangladesh, sell to the whole region, and sell to the entire world," he said, highlighting Bangladesh's strategic position and its vast access to the global market.
The chief adviser emphasized that Bangladesh’s advantageous location makes it an attractive destination for investors.
He explained that Bangladesh is strategically situated, serving as the gateway for landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan, as well as the seven northeastern states of India.
Dr Yunus shared his vision of a new Bangladesh, discussing the future of trade and the potential of Bangladeshi youth during the sessions.
He participated in an event titled "Investment Dialogue" with Chinese business leaders, where he informed Chinese investors about the business-friendly environment in Bangladesh and encouraged them to consider investing in the country.
Dr Yunus pointed out that Bangladesh boasts a large, youthful population brimming with energy, creativity, and aspirations. "That’s the exciting part of Bangladesh," he remarked.
He emphasized that there is no shortage of young people—both men and women—who are very adaptable to new ideas and innovative ways of thinking and doing things. "They are quick to learn, especially in assembly plants or technology-driven businesses. I think it would be wise to consider Bangladesh," he said.
He also noted that Bangladesh oversees the entire Bay of Bengal, providing significant access to global markets through this strategic waterway.
"So, Bangladesh is your gateway not only for Bangladesh itself but for three other major regions. You can leverage the advantages of doing business in this entire region through Bangladesh. That's the most exciting part of it," Dr Yunus added.
The chief adviser hosted four interactive sessions with more than 100 leading entrepreneurs and CEOs from China, sharing how Bangladesh is now open for business, according to Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
He also highlighted the benefits of relocating factories to Bangladesh, emphasizing that the country faces no trade restrictions and offers some of the most competitive advantages for foreign direct investment.
Before his speech, Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of BIDA and BEZA, presented the case for Bangladesh titled "Bangladesh 2.0: Gateway to Growth."
Ashik Chowdhury shared data, sectoral heatmaps, demand landscapes, and factors of production competitiveness.
He also discussed ongoing investment climate reforms being undertaken by the interim government, such as AEO, the collocation of agencies, and a relationship management model.
"Xiànzài jèng shì shíhòu," he told the audience, meaning "Now is the time."
This call follows recent progress on the Chinese Special Economic Zone project by BEZA.
Ashik mentioned that he is already observing clear synergies in merging organizations like BIDA and BEZA, where one works to build and the other promotes.
Li Qingshuang, vice chairperson of CCPIT—the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry—also spoke at the Bangladesh investment dialogue.
She noted that Chinese investors are expanding globally, with many showing interest in investing in Bangladesh.
Li urged Bangladesh authorities to host more investment promotion events in China, as many investors are still unaware of the benefits of setting up factories in Bangladesh.
She pledged that CCPIT would facilitate more Chinese investment in Bangladesh and create a platform to promote investment in the country.
The investment dialogue was followed by three roundtable discussions with leaders from the infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology industries, as well as academia.
Senior officials and CEOs from top Chinese companies, such as the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer Longi, mobile phone maker Oppo, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Hisense International, Gaotu Education Technology Group, China Biotech and Pharmaceuticals Valley, China Internet, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, and China Railway International Group, participated in the roundtable sessions.
"We are encouraged by the enthusiastic inquiries from businesses. The Chinese delegation, which is already the largest at the upcoming investment summit in Dhaka in two weeks, is expected to grow even larger," said BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury.
The chief adviser also spoke at a high-level roundtable meeting on social business and the "World of Three Zeroes."
Prof Yunus called for the creation of a new civilization where there would be zero wealth concentration, zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment.
Top professors and deans from Peking, Renmin, and Tsinghua universities, three of the world’s best educational institutions, as well as top Chinese youth leaders, participated in the meeting.
Li Daokui, dean of Tsinghua University, praised Prof Yunus, stating that Bangladesh would prosper and achieve higher growth under his leadership.
He also offered to host Bangladesh’s bureaucrats and policymakers at Tsinghua for a "day-long deep dive" to share lessons from China’s remarkable development.
Meanwhile, Yao Wang, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), a semi-governmental organization promoting China’s trade and economic relations with other countries, met with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus to discuss mutual interests.
Dr Yunus also met with Han Zheng, vice president of the People’s Republic of China, at a state guest house in Beijing.
On Saturday morning, the chief adviser will visit Peking University, where he will receive an honorary doctorate and deliver a speech to the audience.
