CA Yunus Invites Chinese Investors to Relocate Factories to BD

In a series of four interactive meetings with over 100 leading entrepreneurs and CEOs from China on Friday, Professor Yunus showcased Bangladesh’s growing appeal as an investment destination. He emphasized the country’s strategic location, competitive advantages, and its open trade environment, making it an ideal place for foreign direct investment.

“It is the best time to set up your factories in Bangladesh,” Yunus told the audience, adding that Bangladesh serves as a gateway to landlocked countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s seven northeastern states.

He also shared his vision for a "New Bangladesh" and discussed the country's future in global trade, highlighting the potential of its young workforce. The meetings aimed to showcase how Bangladesh is transforming into an attractive investment destination.

Before Yunus’s speech, Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, presented a compelling case for Bangladesh’s economic potential in a session titled “Bangladesh 2.0: Gateway to Growth.” Chowdhury highlighted Bangladesh's improving business climate, including key reforms such as AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) programs, collocation of agencies, and new relationship management models.

“This is the right time to invest,” Chowdhury remarked, signaling the progress on the Chinese Special Economic Zone project, a key initiative by BEZA. He also noted the ongoing synergy between BIDA and BEZA, as one focuses on building infrastructure and the other promotes investments.

Ms. Li Qingshuang, Vice Chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), also participated in the investment dialogue. She emphasized that Chinese investors are increasingly looking to expand globally and expressed interest in Bangladesh. Li encouraged Bangladesh to organize more investment events in China to raise awareness of the benefits of setting up factories there.

During the event, senior officials and CEOs from some of China’s top companies, including Longi (the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer), Oppo, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Hisense International, attended roundtable discussions on infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology sectors. Chowdhury later expressed excitement over the growing interest from Chinese businesses, noting that the Chinese delegation to the upcoming investment summit in Dhaka is expected to be the largest yet.

Additionally, Yunus participated in a high-level roundtable on social business and the concept of the “world of three zeroes,” where he called for creating a new civilization with zero wealth concentration, zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment.

The roundtable included top academics from China’s leading universities, such as Peking, Renmin, and Tsinghua, as well as prominent Chinese youth leaders. Li Daokui, Dean of Tsinghua University, praised Yunus, stating that Bangladesh is poised for prosperity and higher growth under his leadership. He also offered to host Bangladesh’s policymakers for a “deep dive” into China’s remarkable development.

On Saturday, Yunus will receive an honorary doctorate from Peking University and deliver a speech, further strengthening the ties between Bangladesh and China.