China Exim Bank eyes financing for Bangladesh power projects, grid upgrades
Discussions covered the Payra Thermal Power Plant, power grid strengthening under the G2G arrangement, and network expansion in DPDC areas.
China Exim Bank has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh's power sector projects, including the expansion of the Payra thermal power plant and upgrades to the power grid and distribution networks.
A delegation led by the bank's President Wang Chunying met Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood at the Bangladesh Secretariat today (15 October) to discuss financing for ongoing and future power sector projects.
The meeting focused on the Payra Thermal Power Plant Project, the Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under the government-to-government (G2G) arrangement, and the Expansion and Strengthening of Power Network under the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) area.
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During the meeting, the power minister underscored the importance of a stable power and energy supply for national development and economic growth. He urged the bank to expedite financing for the expansion of Payra, the development of smart grids and control systems, and upgrades to the DPDC network.
Citing Bangladesh's clean energy transition under the Renewable Energy Policy 2026, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood also called for faster financing for future power sector projects, particularly those aimed at modernising the national grid and strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure.
He invited Wang to visit project sites in Bangladesh that have received financing from the bank.
Wang reaffirmed China Exim Bank's continued support for Bangladesh's infrastructure development. She also welcomed recent investment-friendly tariff and duty reductions by the National Board of Revenue for green energy projects.
The bank expressed interest in financing and providing expertise for renewable energy initiatives, including ground-mounted and floating solar power, wind energy and waste-to-energy projects.
Both sides agreed to expedite institutional responses to speed up financing clearances for the G2G power grid strengthening and DPDC network expansion projects.
Ashik Chowdhury, chairman of Invest Bangladesh; Mirana Mahrukh, secretary of the Power Division; Engr Md Rezaul Karim, chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board; and senior Power Division officials were also present at the meeting.
The discussions come as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen the reliability of its power infrastructure while expanding renewable energy capacity and modernising its electricity transmission and distribution networks.
