Delegation from China visits BCCCI to discuss trade, investment scopes in Bangladesh

A 17-member delegation of Anhui Provincial People's Congress from China led by Mr Wei Xiaoming, vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial People's Congress visited Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) office on Tuesday to discuss trade and investment potentials in Bangladesh by China’s Anhui province.

Mr Song Yang, the honourable Commercial Counselor of the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh was present in the meeting. BCCCI Secretary General Al Mamun Mridha and other senior officials of BCCCI received the Chinese delegation, according to a press release.

This high-profile business delegation from China included officials of the Anhui People’s Congress and several business leaders of Anhui province including Mr Ding Li, deputy general manager of Forton International of China.

The leader of Anhui delegation Mr Wei Xiaoming expressed high appreciation to BCCCI and to the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh for working in concert for the advancement of Bangladesh-China trade and economic cooperation. He said trade between China’s Anhui province and Bangladesh reached USD 319 million in 2023, and that there is ample scope for investment in Bangladesh by companies of Anhui Province, especially in manufacturing electrical cars and commercial vehicles and in agricultural sector of Bangladesh. 

The business leaders of the delegation expressed their interests in various productive and service sectors in Bangladesh, especially in renewable energy sector, production of lithium batteries, electrical vehicle assembly plant and production facilities of auto spare parts, particularly in fruit processing initiatives in the agricultural sector of Bangladesh.

BCCCI Secretary General, Mr Al Mamun Mridha underscored the significance of the provincial interest and engagement in economic and development cooperation extended to Bangladesh in consonance with China’s central government. He also said that BCCCI is the official partner of key government bodies related to trade and investment including Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority  (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

Mr Song Yang, commercial counsellor of Chinese embassy in his speech appreciated the dynamic role of BCCCI in furthering trade relations between Bangladesh and China. He said the economic and commercial section of Chinese embassy would extend all possible cooperation in facilitating business scopes between Bangladesh and Chinese provinces like Anhui.

Mr Ke Chiangliang, president of Chinese Enterprises Association Bangladesh (CEAB) urged Chinese enterprises to invest more in Bangladesh. 

In an open discussion, Dr F H Ansary, CEO of ACI Motor Vehicles sought collaboration between Anhui province for passenger vehicle manufacturing in Bangladesh, especially assembly of passenger and other vehicles. Dr Ansary also sought to expand cooperation between ACI Agro for the seeds that they use to buy from Anhui province of China. 

Mr ATM Azizul Akil David, senior vice president of BCCCI requested the companies from Anhui Province to set up electric vehicle production in Bangladesh not only to capture the Bangladesh EV market but to take advantage of the neighbouring markets such as India.

Mr Sk Amin Uddin, CEO of ACI motors and director of BCCCI expressed interest in setting up production of new energy vehicles especially EVs in Bangladesh with the help of Anhui businesses, already having experience in setting up vehicles for running on CNG.  Mr Amin pointed out his company’s experience in assembling electric bikes. Mr Amin also sought cooperation in setting up lithium battery production in Bangladesh for EVs. Mr Shahid Alam, vice president of BCCCI also took part in the discussion. Mr Md Abu Taher, office secretary of BCCCI moderated the meeting.