FBCCI seeks more Chinese investment to narrow trade gap

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has urged Chinese investors to increase investment in Bangladesh to help narrow the bilateral trade gap of around $17.5 billion.

The issue was discussed at a meeting between FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen in Dhaka on Wednesday, the FBCCI said.

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The two countries have seen a significant expansion in bilateral trade over the past decade, but Bangladesh continues to export far less to China than it imports. In fiscal year 2024-25, Bangladesh exported goods worth around $694 million to China, while imports stood at nearly $18.19 billion.

In that year, imports from China were therefore about 26 times higher than exports, highlighting the need to diversify exports and attract more investment from Chinese companies.

Fazlul urged Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh’s special economic zones, particularly in Chattogram and Khulna. He said greater Chinese investment could help diversify Bangladesh’s exports and reduce the trade gap.

He also called for stronger institutional cooperation among the FBCCI, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) to facilitate trade and investment.

“Greater institutional cooperation between the business communities of the two countries is essential to expand trade and investment,” Fazlul said.

He urged the Chinese side to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshi businesspeople travelling to China, saying easier business travel would help strengthen commercial ties.

Ambassador Yao said the Chinese embassy is ready to work closely to take bilateral trade relations to a new level.

He identified electric vehicles, fruits and processed agricultural products, renewable energy and tourism as promising areas for Chinese trade and investment in Bangladesh.

FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir and senior Chinese embassy officials were also present at the meeting.