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Twelve leading Chinese companies have proposed investments worth US$9.21 billion in Bangladesh across transport infrastructure, energy, logistics, manufacturing, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals and education, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s investment climate following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent official visit to China.
The proposals were presented during meetings between the Prime Minister and chief executives and senior representatives of the companies in Beijing on June 25 as part of his four-day visit aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-China economic cooperation and attracting foreign direct investment.
Officials described the proposals as one of the largest single batches of prospective Chinese investments received by Bangladesh in recent years. If implemented, the projects are expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs, promote technology transfer, strengthen industrial capacity and support Bangladesh’s transition towards sustainable, export-oriented growth.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, who accompanied the Prime Minister during the meetings, said the strong response from Chinese investors reflected renewed confidence in Bangladesh’s economy.
He said political stability following the formation of the newly elected BNP government had improved investor sentiment, while the government’s commitment to economic reforms, policy continuity and a more business-friendly environment had encouraged international companies to explore long-term investments.
Ashik said Bangladesh also presented a five-year tax outlook for the first time, giving investors greater certainty over future fiscal policies. The initiative, he said, was well received by Chinese business leaders, who consider long-term policy predictability crucial for making major investment decisions.
The largest proposal came from Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Co. Ltd., which expressed interest in investing US$4.5 billion in the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project.
Officials said upgrading the country’s busiest transport corridor would improve freight movement between Dhaka and Chattogram Port, reduce travel time and logistics costs, ease traffic congestion and strengthen regional connectivity, benefiting both domestic industries and exporters.
The second-largest proposal came from Zhongxin Environmental Protection Group, which plans to invest US$1.65 billion to establish an electronic waste recycling and disposal industrial complex at the Payra Port Industrial Zone.
The project would introduce modern recycling technologies capable of recovering valuable materials from discarded electronic products while reducing environmental pollution and supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to build a circular economy.
Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in the investment plans. Shanghai SUS Environment Co. Ltd. proposed investing US$890 million to establish Waste-to-Energy plants that would convert municipal waste into electricity. Officials said the facilities would help address Bangladesh’s growing urban waste management challenges while generating renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In the logistics sector, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) proposed investing US$650 million to develop the Mongla Port Economic Zone with logistics parks, bonded warehouses and supporting infrastructure.
The project is expected to transform Mongla into a major industrial and export hub and create around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to economic activities in the country’s southwest.
Global logistics company SF Express proposed investing US$180 million to establish cold-chain logistics facilities and bonded warehouses in Mongla, strengthening supply chains for agricultural products, fisheries, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce.
In the energy sector, China Future Energy Group Holding Limited proposed investing US$250 million in gas field exploration and development. Officials said the investment could help increase domestic gas production and reduce dependence on costly imported fuels.
Chinese manufacturers also expressed strong interest in expanding production in Bangladesh. Shenzhen Kaifa Technology Co. Ltd. proposed investing US$250 million to manufacture electric smart meters, supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to modernise its electricity distribution system.
Meanwhile, Huaxin Textile Industry Co. Ltd. submitted a US$190 million proposal to expand recycled cotton and yarn production, manufacture lithium batteries and establish a 200-megawatt captive solar power plant at the Payra Port Industrial Zone.
Another proposal came from CRRC Ziyang Co. Ltd., which plans to invest US$190 million in a railway rolling stock assembly plant through a joint venture with Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory. The project is expected to promote technology transfer, local manufacturing and skilled employment in the railway sector.
The education sector also attracted investment interest. China Kepai Education Group proposed investing US$270 million to establish an application-oriented university and a vocational education industrial park with capacity for around 30,000 students, focusing on engineering, manufacturing, information technology and technical education.
Meanwhile, China Shandong Zhongxin Pharmaceutical Co. Limited proposed investing US$190 million to develop commercial cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs, creating an integrated value chain involving farming, processing and pharmaceutical production.
Officials said the proposals will now undergo technical evaluations, feasibility studies and regulatory reviews before moving towards formal investment agreements.
China has remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and one of its leading sources of infrastructure financing and foreign direct investment. Chinese companies have already participated in several landmark projects, including the Padma Bridge Rail Link, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Payra Power Plant and multiple roads, bridges and economic zones.
Economists say the latest proposals demonstrate growing international confidence in Bangladesh’s economic prospects. They believe that if a substantial portion of the proposed US$9.21 billion investment is realised, it would significantly strengthen the country’s manufacturing base, modernise transport and logistics, accelerate green industrialisation, create thousands of jobs and deepen Bangladesh’s strategic economic partnership with China.
The proposals also highlight a shift in Chinese investment towards advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, environmental protection, logistics and human capital development, sectors that closely align with Bangladesh’s long-term goal of achieving sustainable, technology-driven and export-led economic growth.