Chinese solar panel manufacturer Longi to invest in Bangladesh

Yunus wants Chinese hospital chains to set up top clinics or establish joint venture healthcare facilities in Bangladesh

Prominent Chinese solar panel manufacturer Longi has decided to set up an office and invest in solar panel manufacturing in Bangladesh, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said.

In a meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday, Wen said several top Chinese solar panel manufacturers visited Bangladesh in December to scope out opportunities to invest in the country.

The companies travelled to Bangladesh after Yunus extended an invitation to relocate their manufacturing plants to the country as part of the interim government's plan to transform the country into an economic hub.

Ambassador Wen said at least two of the Chinese firms that visited Bangladesh, including Longi, had decided to set up offices and plants in the country.

"They will invest in Bangladesh very soon," he told Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Wen said Chinese firms had been the largest investors in Bangladesh since Aug 5, after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime.

He added that dozens of Chinese companies had lined up to invest in Bangladesh with a dedicated Chinese export processing zone in mind.

After the meeting, Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the chief advisor’s upcoming trip to China would primarily focus on attracting Chinese investment and businesses to Bangladesh.

Wen said Yunus’s visit to China would be a “very important one” taking into account the 50-year relationship of 'trust" between the nations.

Yunus urged more Chinese investors to construct a manufacturing hub in Bangladesh for companies who want to export goods to Western nations.

He also wants Chinese hospital chains to set up top clinics in Bangladesh or build joint venture healthcare facilities with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

He added: "Bangladesh needs massive investment in healthcare. The Chinese hospital chains now have unique opportunities to build hospitals here."

Wen said China had dedicated four hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients.

A group of Bangladeshi people travelled to Kunming last week for treatment.