The Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), an association formerly known as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (CCCB) with more than 270 Chinese member companies, has announced the establishment of eight dedicated branches to better serve specific Chinese business communities and boost investment and development in Bangladesh.
The announcement was made at the seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Enterprises High-quality Development Forum: Achievements and Way Forward” at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Center in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, read a press release.
The seminar was the last one of the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2023 hosted by the Embassy of China in Bangladesh in association with the CEAB and the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI).
In his opening speech, President of CEAB and Country Head of CCECC Bangladesh Ltd Ke Changliang reviewed the track records of the CEAB and outlined contributions of Chinese companies made so far to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
“In Bangladesh, Chinese companies have so far built 12 roads and 21 bridges totalling 550km long, constructed 7 railway lines with a total length of 541.9km, and implemented 27 power and energy projects whose total installed capacity accounts for more than 50 per cent of the country,” he said.
He further highlighted Chinese companies’ active investment and ambitious blueprint in Bangladesh, “In EPZ, 25 per cent of investors came from China.”
In light of the fruitful achievements and increasing demand for high-quality services from the Chinese business community in Bangladesh, CEAB, under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh and local government agencies, decided to subdivide their operations into eight industrial branches, each focusing on specific sectors such as power and energy, information, communication and technology (ICT), harbour and port, roads and bridges, water and sanitation, railway and civil aviation, textile and garments, trade and services.
“We believe that these 8 specific branches of CEAB will boost investment from China, create jobs for local community, and contribute to the sustainable growth of Bangladesh,” Changliang said.
The establishment of these specialised branches by the CEAB signifies a significant step towards deepening economic ties between the two nations.
The Bangladeshi government officials and business community welcomed the Chinese investments and discussed potential projects of cooperation and investments under the aforementioned eight sectors at the seminar, read the release.
Additional Secretary of Economic Relations Division AHM Jahangir, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Bangladesh Song Yang, Vice-President of BGMEA Syed Nazrul Islam, Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Bridge Authority Quazi Muhammad Ferdous, Executive President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem, PPP specialist of Public Private Partnership Authority AM Al-Amin, Managing Director of LDC Group Zhuang Lifeng, and Managing Director of Powervision Group Mojibur Rahman addressed the seminar.
