Sheikh Bashiruddin, the commerce advisor to the interim government, has called on Chinese companies to manufacture high-quality vehicles in Bangladesh. He stated that road accidents caused by substandard commercial vehicles have reached epidemic proportions, resulting in numerous fatalities.

He expressed these views at the opening ceremony of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2025,’ which was held at the Bashundhara International Convention City (ICCB) in the capital on Friday (September 12).

The commerce advisor indicated that if Chinese firms establish operations in Bangladesh to manufacture high-quality vehicles, significant advancements in the road sector could be achieved. He also stressed the importance of rapidly elevating Bangladesh’s current economy, valued at half a trillion dollars, to one trillion dollars.

Sheikh Bashiruddin further pointed out the ongoing trade imbalance between China and Bangladesh. He noted that Bangladesh imports approximately $22 billion in goods from China annually, while its exports are considerably lower. He urged the Chinese ambassador to implement more effective measures to diversify exports.

During the event, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen remarked that Bangladesh is the first nation in South Asia to respond favorably to the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. He mentioned that Chinese investments in Bangladesh have surged by over 254 percent in the past year, and China is prepared to enhance cooperation in trade and investment moving forward.

Md. Sabur Hossain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy, advocated for increased Chinese investment in the renewable energy sector. Additionally, Mirana Mahrukh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the necessity of international collaboration to create a society free from discrimination.

A total of 40 companies from Bangladesh and China participated in this two-day international exhibition, with 32 of them hailing from China. The exhibition featured a variety of products and services across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, technology, energy, health, agriculture, and transportation.