Dhaka: The Chinese business community in Bangladesh say cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is poised for transition as the coming decade of Bangladesh-China BRI cooperation is likely to centre on diversifying industry, improving manufacturing competitiveness, and broadening Bangladesh’s exports to China.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) President Han Kun emphasized that the next stage of BRI engagement will focus on sustainability, shared financing, and broader participation from private actors. Han addressed misconceptions about BRI, specifically the belief that China is the sole financer of major projects. He clarified that “BRI is a bilateral cooperation framework, not a one-way initiative where China alone spends money. It is meant to be mutually beneficial, involving both governments, private investors, and businesses from all sides.”
Han noted that with over 140 countries participating in BRI, it is unrealistic for any single nation to bear the entire financial burden. “China’s economy is strong, but even then it can’t fund all projects in all participating countries. For sustainability, investment has to be shared, benefits have to be shared, and project selection has to be pragmatic,” he said.
Bangladesh joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2016, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. This has resulted in significant infrastructure projects, including bridges, power plants, tunnels, and road networks, financed through various Chinese funding mechanisms such as concessional loans and private investments.
Han emphasized that future BRI engagement should extend beyond infrastructure to include industry, trade, technology, culture, and business models. He highlighted the role of cultural industries, such as movies and media exchanges, in fostering deeper economic ties. With new Chinese investors exploring opportunities in Bangladesh, Han stressed the need for a predictable environment and coordinated policy support.
“Newcomers from China are already showing interest in Bangladesh. If the environment remains predictable, and if both sides collaborate effectively, investment will grow. CEAB’s role is to bridge Bangladeshi and Chinese business communities and encourage more diversified Chinese participation,” Han stated.
Looking forward, Han predicted a focus on diversifying industry, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, and expanding Bangladesh’s export offerings to China. He pointed out that although Bangladesh’s current export basket is limited, recent developments, like the entry of mangoes into the Chinese market, present new opportunities. Han suggested that identifying more export-worthy items is crucial for future growth.
He also mentioned potential growth in semi-finished goods, value-added products, and technologically advanced manufacturing through joint ventures and industry upgrading. Infrastructure cooperation is expected to evolve towards higher efficiency and more advanced technology, including expressways, metro rail systems, and water-resource-based transport solutions.
Despite challenges, Han expressed confidence in the BRI cooperation direction, noting that the platform has already delivered significant economic benefits. He believes BRI will continue to align with both countries’ development priorities, supporting economic and social growth.
Han concluded by urging Bangladesh to approach the next stage of the partnership strategically, viewing BRI as a platform for shared, sustainable development. He also identified challenges in implementing government-to-government projects, as they often face delays due to lengthy approval cycles in both countries.
To improve efficiency, Han suggested enforcing time-bound work handling or response mechanisms for service applications. Agencies should respond within specified timeframes to trigger accountability mechanisms, which could significantly increase efficiency.