Chinese entrepreneurs may invest in BD pharma sector

The Chinese entrepreneurs have expressed their interest to invest in pharmaceutical sector considering its potential and existing investment-friendly climate in Bangladesh, said a top business leader of the country.
"The Chinese entrepreneurs see Bangladesh as a country for investment. They have expressed interest to invest in the pharmaceutical sector," President of FBCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmad told the FE.  
He said the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) of Shaanxi sub-council signed a deal on November 8, 2016 for investment in the sector.
The Chinese entrepreneurs started showing interest following President Xi Jinping's visit in Bangladesh in October last.
During his visit, he promised to elevate China-Bangladesh ties from comprehensive partnership of cooperation to a strategic one.
The two countries also announced that 2017 would be observed as the 'Year of Exchange and Friendship' that will see a series of diplomatic, cultural and educational visits.
During Mr Xi's visit,  Bangladesh and China signed 27 deals and memorandum of understanding (MoUs), totaling US $13.6 billion for financing projects on infrastructure, energy, information and communication.
Mr Ahmad said both FBCCI and CCPIT stressed the need to maintain close relations for making joint efforts for further development of bilateral economic ties between the two countries.
He said the volume of trade between Bangladesh and China is over US $ 14 billion annually. Of the amount, only $ 27 million trade was done with the Shaanxi province, the birth place of Mr Xi Jinping.  
Asked about the probable amount to be invested by the Chinese entrepreneurs, the president of the FBCCI said, "We (the FBCCI) will visit China early next year to finalise Chinese entrepreneurs' investment plan in pharmaceuticals, information technology (IT), textiles, automobiles and ceramics sectors".
He said if the investment plan is finalised, then there will be billions of dollars investment from Chinese entrepreneurs.  
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com