Business, investment to take centre stage during Yunus's China visit

The chief advisor is set to travel to China on Mar 26 for a four-day visit

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus's upcoming trip to China will primarily focus on attracting Chinese investment and businesses to Bangladesh, according to his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

In preparation for the four-day visit starting on Mar 26, Yunus met with Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday.

Addressing a media briefing at Dhaka's Foreign Service Academy afterwards, Shafiqul said the meeting covered various aspects of the visit.

"The chief advisor is scheduled to visit China on Mar 26, and ahead of this, he held discussions with the Chinese Ambassador today."

"On Mar 27, the chief advisor will deliver a speech at the Boao Forum for Asia, an event attended by top Asian leaders and CEOs of major corporations. He is also expected to hold sideline meetings with executives from leading Chinese companies to explore the relocation of their factories to Bangladesh."

On Mar 28, Yunus is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the primary focus will be transforming Bangladesh into an industrial hub by engaging with Chinese business leaders.

"This will be the chief advisor's first bilateral visit and the Chinese Ambassador has emphasised its significance, particularly as the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations," said Shafiqul.

Highlighting the interim government's agenda, Shafiqul added: "The primary objective is to encourage Chinese companies to relocate their factories to Bangladesh. The chief advisor has previously proposed that Chinese solar companies shift their production to Bangladesh, as China faces numerous global trade barriers. If these companies manufacture in Bangladesh, they can export without restrictions."

Two companies have already responded positively to Bangladesh's call and are preparing to set up offices in the country, according to Shafiqul. One of them is Longi, the world's largest solar panel manufacturer, producing 70 percent of the world's solar panels.

"This move will create a substantial number of jobs in Bangladesh's solar energy sector and boost exports," Shafiqul said.

During the visit, Yunus will deliver a speech at Peking University, where he will be awarded an honorary degree. He will also visit a high-tech park in China to inspect factories involved in making electric vehicles, solar energy, manufacturing plants, and semiconductor chips.

"One of the key goals of this visit is to explore how Chinese factories can be relocated to Bangladesh. The interim government aims to drive a major revolution in the manufacturing sector," Shafiqul said, adding that expanding the capacity of Chattogram Port will also be a priority.

Citing the Chinese ambassador, the press secretary noted that in the seven months since Aug 5, Chinese companies have made massive investments in Bangladesh and this visit is expected to attract even more.

He added that Yunus was particularly keen on forging deeper ties with China’s healthcare sector and inviting Chinese hospital chains to establish healthcare facilities in Bangladesh.