“Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman met Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday, wrapping up his five-day visit to China, during which the two sides formalised a deal to develop an economic zone near Mongla port, replacing a previously proposed Indianbacked venture. The land for the zone at Mongla — Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport after Chittagong — was initially earmarked for India, but was delisted by the Muhammad Yunus interim govt in 2025 as ties deteriorated following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as PM in 2024.”
“The project could expand China’s strategic footprint in Bay of Bengal and wider Indian Ocean region — where Beijing has invested in ports from Gwadar in Pakistan to Djibouti in East Africa. China supports Bangladesh’s new govt in its smooth administration and stands ready to carry out high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation with Dhaka, Xi told Tarique, while assuring the PM that China is willing to map out key cooperation with Bangladesh and tap into the potential for collaboration in green and low-carbon development, digital economy, information technology, AI and other fields.”
See also: China firm now to develop economic zone on delisted Mongla site for India
“In addition, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to promote investment, strengthen business linkages and provide support services for Chinese investors in Bangladesh.”
“Separately, China’s Handa Group was allocated land in the Keraniganj Economic Zone. According to a Bida press release, the company plans to invest $220 million in the project.”