Chinese investors can help transform Bangladesh into manufacturing hub: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has welcomed China’s interest in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sectors, noting that investors from the world’s second-largest economy could help transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub producing goods for export to developed nations including China.

“We can go full speed in these areas,” Prof Yunus said during a meeting with Vice-President of the Export-Import Bank of China Yang Dongning on Thursday, identifying pharmaceuticals and healthcare as additional sectors with strong potential for Chinese investment.

He said China, the world’s largest producer of solar energy, could play a significant role in supporting Bangladesh’s transition to green energy through investments in solar panels and rooftop solar systems.

The Chief Adviser also encouraged China to relocate manufacturing plants to Bangladesh, highlighting the potential utilization of country’s large pool of young workers, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday.

He suggested that closed state-run jute mills could be repurposed for new joint ventures.

“This is a very important dimension. We welcome this. We want to translate these into actions,” Prof Yunus said, referring to Chinese interest in jute-based manufacturing.

Vice-President of the Export-Import Bank of China Yang Dongning said Chinese investors are eager to invest in Bangladesh’s green technology, jute, textiles and pharmaceuticals as part of efforts to support the manufacturing transformation envisioned by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus,

The visiting Exim Bank vice-president met with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

She was accompanied by Dr Ma Jun, President of the state-run Institute of Finance and Sustainability.

Yang Dongning said that while China has long invested heavily in Bangladesh’s large infrastructure projects, its investors are now increasingly focused on key manufacturing sectors.