Joint investment could help rebalance Bangladesh-China trade
Dhaka, August 18, 2026: The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called for stronger direct engagement and joint investment between Bangladeshi and Chinese businesses to address the widening trade imbalance between the two countries.
FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Haque made the call during a meeting with a business delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) at the FBCCI office in Motijheel on Monday.
In his welcome remarks, Fazlul Haque said Bangladesh imports a substantial volume of goods from China, while its exports to the Chinese market remain comparatively low.
Although bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China is currently close to $20 billion, Bangladesh exports less than $1 billion worth of goods to China annually, creating a significant trade deficit, he said.
The FBCCI administrator urged businesses from both countries to jointly identify sectors with potential to expand trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
He said the visit of the Chinese business delegation could help expand bilateral commerce while creating greater opportunities for Bangladeshi products in the Chinese market. Increased investment from Chinese businesses, he added, could also contribute to Bangladesh's industrial development and export capacity.
Fazlul Haque assured the Chinese delegation that FBCCI would provide necessary support to Chinese entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand businesses in Bangladesh.
During the discussion, Bangladeshi business leaders invited Chinese companies to explore joint investment opportunities in food processing, medical devices and accessories, pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), renewable energy, and jute and jute products.
He Tao, Director of the Bureau of Commerce of Honghe region in China, expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade and investment. He said simplifying import-export procedures and creating new business opportunities would be among the key priorities for strengthening commercial relations between the two countries.
The meeting brought together former FBCCI directors Abdul Haque, Preeti Chakraborty and Obaidur Rahman, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, FBCCI Safety Council Advisor Brigadier General (Retd.) Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah, members of the FBCCI General Body, leaders of different chambers and associations, and other members of the CCPIT delegation.
The discussions underscored the growing emphasis on moving beyond a trade-driven relationship toward greater two-way investment, export diversification and business-to-business partnerships between Bangladesh and China.
