The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) urged the Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh to quickly implement duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access to China.
It also urged the envoy to encourage his country's businessmen to make more investments in the readymade garment (RMG) sector's product diversification.
The trade body made the request during a meeting between the members of the board of directors and Chinese ambassador Zhang Zuo at DCCI on Saturday.
DCCI president Osama Taseer said China is now the largest trading partner of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's 'Look East' policy has been designed to open up new avenues of co-operation with China and the ASEAN region, he added.
The Chinese envoy said Bangladesh has immense potential in the blue and coastal economy. China has recently passed a new foreign investment law which is more flexible for foreign investors, he added.
One Belt, One Road Initiative of China is continuing for a high quality communication mode, he informed. "We are very positive about China-Bangladesh business co-operation."
Mr Zuo said China's foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh increased in the fiscal year 2017-18. China has invested more in Bangladesh than any other countries.
He said the companies in his country are optimistic about enhancement of China-Bangladesh business co-operation in the next decade.
About 200 large Chinese companies and 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are now operating business in Bangladesh, he mentioned.
China is one of the largest partners in mega infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, the Chinese envoy said, adding that he would encourage the companies and SMEs in China to come to Bangladesh with bigger investments.
The embassy of China in Bangladesh will work closely with DCCI to facilitate business innovations, Mr Zuo said. "The embassy will support DCCI as 'a bridge for communication' with private industries."
He also invited DCCI members to take part in Shanghai Import and Export Fair 2019 to be held in Shanghai in November next.
Bangladesh mainly exports frozen and live fish, leather and leather goods, vegetables, textile fibres, paper yarn and woven fabrics, articles of apparel and clothing, electrical machinery and equipment and furniture to China.
Bangladesh mainly imports machinery, household appliances and industrial items from China.
The bilateral trade between China and Bangladesh in FY 2017-18 was US$ 2.40 billion.
DCCI's senior vice president Waqar Ahmad Choudhury, vice president Imran Ahmed, directors Andaleeb Hasan, Alhaj Deen Mohammed, Enamul Haque Patwary, Hossain A Sikder, Engr Md Al Amin, Mohammad Bashiruddin, Nuher L Khan, Shams Mahmud and SM Zillur Rahman were also present at the meeting.
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