Bangladesh proposes broader trade, investment ties with China's Yunnan
He said a venue has already been selected in Yunnan for displaying Bangladeshi products, following the memorandum of understanding signed between Yunnan's commerce department and Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Bangladesh has proposed a set of initiatives to deepen trade, investment, agriculture, energy and technology cooperation with China's Yunnan Province, including establishing a direct road link from Chattogram through Myanmar to Kunming.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir made the proposals at a meeting with a high-level delegation from Yunnan Province at the conference room of the Commerce Ministry Secretariat here today ( 27 September) said a press release.
The delegation was led by Yunnan Executive Vice Governor Zhao Junmin.
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The commerce minister said an effective road network of around 1,200 kilometres from Chattogram through Myanmar to Kunming could facilitate the transportation of goods between the regions within around 24 hours.
Such connectivity would significantly reduce transportation time and costs while strengthening regional trade and supply chains among Bangladesh, Myanmar and southwestern China, he said.
Describing Yunnan as a promising market for Bangladesh, Muktadir said there is considerable scope to increase Bangladeshi exports by leveraging the province's geographical proximity.
He stressed the need to quickly operationalise proposed bonded warehouse and exhibition facilities in Yunnan to facilitate the entry of Bangladeshi products into the province's market of around 46.4 million people.
The meeting was informed that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Yunnan exceeded 1.3 billion yuan in 2025.
Zhao Junmin said Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to come under Yunnan's special trade facilitation policy.
Under the initiative, bonded warehouse, exhibition centre and customs-related facilities are being arranged for Bangladeshi products, and these facilities will be operationalised soon, he said.
He said a venue has already been selected in Yunnan for displaying Bangladeshi products, following the memorandum of understanding signed between Yunnan's commerce department and Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
He urged Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to come forward quickly to make use of the facilities.
The two sides also discussed expanding direct cargo air connectivity. They explored opportunities for exporting jute and jute products, leather goods, frozen fish, fruits and other agricultural products from Bangladesh to Yunnan, while importing flowers, fertiliser and animal feed from Yunnan.
The participants said direct cargo air connectivity with Bangladesh's northeastern region could create new opportunities for trade in perishable agricultural products.
The commerce minister also proposed establishing a joint research centre to improve the quality and productivity of Bangladesh's jute.
He stressed greater institutional cooperation between the two sides in energy, e-commerce and technology.
Muktadir also invited Chinese investors, particularly women entrepreneurs from Yunnan, to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
Referring to an initiative to turn the old jail in Sylhet into a park, he sought Yunnan's cooperation in developing a modern park in Sylhet modeled on the modern parks of Kunming.
Zhao Junmin welcomed the proposals and expressed Yunnan's interest in further expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in trade, investment, connectivity and other potential areas.
Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and senior officials of the Commerce Ministry and the Chinese Embassy were present at the meeting.
