Between April and June last year alone, Bangladesh received more than $53 million in fresh Chinese investment, nearly $30 million of it flowing straight into textiles.

In an interview with The Daily Star, Julian said Bangladesh has already built an extensive mobile network, with almost universal 4G population coverage, but still trails several countries in South and Southeast Asia in smartphone adoption, mobile broadband usage and digital innovation.

Countries that prioritise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have each chosen distinct positions for themselves.

Focus on cybersecurity, rather than crackdown on dissent