Dhaka, July 09 (V7N) — The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is planning to open its first international office in China to attract and facilitate more foreign investment. The announcement was made by BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun during a seminar held at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.

Highlighting the importance of this initiative, the BIDA chief said that establishing an international presence in China will help strengthen bilateral economic ties and allow Bangladesh to better support Chinese companies interested in investing in the country. "We must connect Bangladesh's strong and skilled workforce with globally operating Chinese companies," he added.

At the seminar, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen revealed that 20 Chinese companies signed investment agreements with Bangladesh in August last year, with a combined investment commitment of several billion dollars. He expressed optimism about the growing partnership between the two countries.

In addressing global trade challenges, Ambassador Yao referenced China's own experience with U.S. tariffs and expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to navigate similar issues. “Bangladesh has its own capabilities to deal with such economic challenges,” he said.

Ambassador Yao Wen also mentioned ongoing discussions about forming a trilateral investment safeguard forum between Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan, clarifying that this initiative poses no threat or concern to any other country.

The proposed BIDA office in China is expected to play a key role in facilitating large-scale foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing sectors, as Bangladesh continues its push to become a major investment destination in South Asia.

END/RH/AJ