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China’s cumulative investment in Bangladesh reached approximately US$3.6 billion by June 2026, as Chinese companies continued to expand their presence in the country, according to the Chinese embassy in Dhaka.
Chinese direct investment in Bangladesh rose by around 50 per cent year on year in 2025, the embassy said in a statement marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Since the new government took office, five Chinese-invested enterprises have invested more than US$100 million in Bangladesh, creating nearly 20,000 jobs, according to the statement.
The embassy said the figures reflected growing Chinese engagement in Bangladesh, particularly in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and other productive sectors.
The China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram, officially launched in July 2026, has attracted intended investments worth around US$500 million, the statement said.
The zone is being developed around industries including textiles and garments, machinery manufacturing, electronics and information technology, biomedicine and green energy.
Bilateral trade also continued to expand, reaching a record US$12.8 billion in the first half of 2026, up 10.6 per cent year on year, according to the embassy.
China remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years from 2010 to 2025, it said.
The embassy highlighted efforts to increase Bangladesh’s exports to China, noting that products such as fresh mangoes and jackfruits have gained access to the Chinese market. Efforts are also underway to secure market access for guavas and aromatic rice.
The two countries are implementing a joint action plan aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s export capacity and improving the structure of bilateral trade, the embassy said.
Infrastructure development remains another major area of Chinese involvement in Bangladesh. The embassy cited the Padma Bridge, constructed by a Chinese company, as a major project connecting Dhaka with 21 southwestern districts.
Chinese companies have also implemented coal-fired, solar and wind power projects with combined installed capacity exceeding 1,000 megawatts, according to the statement.
Several China-aided projects are under construction, including the burn unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and renovation of Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge-6. Projects such as a 1,000-bed general hospital, a women’s hall of residence at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge-9 and an emergency management centre are also progressing.
The embassy said China had provided Bangladesh with more than US$4 million in healthcare and humanitarian assistance in recent years, including dengue and COVID-19 testing kits, medicines, ventilators for burn treatment, robotic rehabilitation equipment and flood relief supplies.
The expanding investment and project pipeline comes as Bangladesh seeks to attract more foreign direct investment, diversify its industrial base and increase export-oriented manufacturing.