Experts at a seminar on Friday stressed the need for Bangladesh to utilise China鈥檚 experience to enhance transport connectivity and promote urban decentralisation.
Speaking at the seminar titled 鈥楩ostering Economic Growth through Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation between Bangladesh and China,鈥� they said the Belt and Road Initiative offers opportunities to bridge logistics gaps and improve freight connectivity.
The two-day BRI in Bangladesh Exhibition 2025 began Friday morning at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh, showcasing Chinese cooperation across key sectors.
In the panel discussion at the sidelines of the exhibition, professor Shamsul Hoque of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology said that 88 per cent of Bangladesh鈥檚 cargo moved by road, a system that often faced disruptions, while waterways handled only 4 per cent.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging waterways to diversify and stabilise freight movement.
鈥楤angladesh should draw lessons from China鈥檚 success in global connectivity, freight planning, vertical development to save land and decentralisation,鈥� he added.
鈥榃e must also harmonise design standards, break language barriers and promote engineer exchange programmes to benefit from Chinese expertise fully,鈥� he added.
He also stated that through long-term planning and capacity building, Bangladesh could bridge its logistics gap and establish a resilient, future-ready transport system.
Faisal Samad, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, called for practical and strategic collaboration.
鈥楽outh-East Asian nations are receiving more BRI investment than Bangladesh. With $50 billion in export earnings, we expect similar interest,鈥� he added.
He also highlighted a significant presence of Chinese businesses in Bangladesh and said that deeper collaboration could create a win-win situation for both countries.
鈥楥hina is one of our key partners, yet we are capturing only 4.6 per cent of its $9.75 billion apparel imports. We must strengthen cooperation, connect with Chinese buyers and showcase more products beyond garments,鈥� he added.
He also said that many idle factories in Bangladesh could be revived through Chinese investment at any time, boosting industry growth.
鈥楳oreover, greater collaboration in fabric production and backward linkages would also benefit both sides. I propose forming a joint working group including government, business, academia and Chinese representatives to meet regularly and explore opportunities,鈥� he added.
Md Abu Sayad, additional secretary, Ministry of ICT, said that Bangladesh鈥檚 digital transformation was advancing and greater collaboration with China could accelerate progress.
鈥楧ata centres and cloud technology are critical for this journey, and Chinese expertise, including Huawei鈥檚 training initiatives, is already playing a vital role,鈥� he added.
He also stated that over 600 Bangladeshi engineers were involved in driving this transformation and China had the opportunity to exchange expertise in capacity building, particularly in AI and cloud computing.
鈥楢long with study visits to China, a strengthened cooperation between government, academia, and Chinese industry would accelerate sustainable digital transformation of Bangladesh,鈥� he added.
Mohammad Sanaul Haq, joint secretary of the Power Division, said that China鈥檚 BRI could offer Bangladesh a strategic opportunity to accelerate its journey toward becoming a developed economy.
鈥楾his collaboration is transforming Bangladesh鈥檚 infrastructure, reducing dependence on overcrowded ports, and integrating the country into global trade routes,鈥� he added.
Song Yang, commercial counsellor of the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh, said that Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to respond to BRI.
鈥楤RI has strengthened Bangladesh鈥檚 connectivity, industrial growth, and digital transformation, and this partnership is reshaping infrastructure, attracting record Chinese investment, and creating special economic zones that foster technology transfer, skill development and supply chain integration,鈥� he added.
He also said that upgrading the bilateral investment treaty and negotiating a free trade agreement would be timely steps to secure a more favourable business climate.
鈥楢s we mark 50 years of China-Bangladesh relations, deeper collaboration would deliver shared prosperity, stability and progress 鈥� helping Bangladesh move closer to its development goals while benefiting both nations,鈥� he added.
Earlier on Friday morning, commerce adviser SK Bashir Uddin inaugurated the second edition of the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2025 along with Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and other government officials, embassy personnel and CEAB representatives.
