Bangladesh wants to reduce its reliance on loans from China and increase joint ventures and direct investment, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with representatives of the Export-Import Bank of China on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the minister said the two sides discussed changes to the existing financing framework.

“We are moving away from loans and gradually focusing more on investment,” Amir Khosru said, expressing hope for a shift towards equity-based financing and stronger economic partnerships.

He said Bangladesh wanted to move beyond debt-funded development projects towards arrangements in which the country and investors jointly participate in projects, creating greater scope for foreign direct investment and joint investment.

However, no specific projects, investment-sharing arrangements or implementation timeline were announced.

The finance minister also said discussions with US Treasury representatives covered debt management, bilateral relations and grant-based financial assistance. Bangladesh sought greater support amid rising imports from the United States, including aircraft, energy and other goods, to help maintain external payment stability.

Separately, talks with representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) focused on potential assistance for the agricultural sector. The minister described the discussions as productive, but no specific funding amount or project was announced.