Many Chinese investors are interested to invest in various potential sectors in Bangladesh such as container terminal and deep-sea port, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said Sunday.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang showed interest when he met with the commerce minister at the latter's secretariat office.
"We have discussed a wide range of bilateral issues. Many Chinese companies are keen to invest in the country. They want to relocate their factories to Bangladesh. So, China wants to get a special economic zone here. The government has already decided to allocate a piece of land to the Chinese investors," Tofail told reporters after the meeting.
"Most of the country's export items are enjoying duty-free access to Chinese markets. An agreement will be signed soon to get full duty-free facilities of our export goods," he added.
The construction work of Shahjalal fertilizer factory funded by China is nearing completion, the minister said, adding that China is keen to invest in big projects like the construction of container terminal and deep-sea port and upgrading of the refinery system.
Now Chinese investors aren't interested to make investments in ready-made garments (RMG) sector. They want to establish their factories in Bangladesh so that more Bangladeshi products are exported to international markets, he said.
Tofail said a garment 'palli' (village) will be established at Bausia in Munshiganj district where 250 factories will be set up. Some 0.25 million people will be appointed as labours.
"China wants to be a development partner of Bangladesh. So, it will help Bangladesh in achieving a middle-income status," the commerce minister also said.
Ma Mingqiang said, "We have discussed issues of bolstering the relations between the two countries."
Earlier, an annual performance agreement (APA) 2015-16 was signed with different agencies under the ministry of commerce (MoC) as per the government's decision.
The move had been taken with a view to evaluating the performance of civil servants working at various ministries and divisions and departments and making them accountable for their responsibilities.
Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, Senior Secretary of the MoC, and representatives of different agencies under the ministry were present at the signing ceremony.
UNB adds: Tofail said the government has decided to set up a special economic zone for Chinese investors as they are interested to invest more in Bangladesh.
He said there are 17 economic zones in Bangladesh and one will be chosen for the Chinese investors.
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