Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Beijing, China

China has emerged as Bangladesh's largest trading partner, renowned for its global supply capabilities and immense market potential attributed to its vast consumer base. The bilateral trade relationship is significantly skewed towards imports, with Bangladesh primarily importing raw materials from China. This importation is crucial as it enables Bangladesh to process and export finished products to various global markets. However, both countries are working to address the trade deficit and minimize the gap by incorporating various measures such as diversification of market basket of exportable items, removing non-tariff barriers, addressing Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) etc.

Bangladesh's exports to China consist mainly of knit and woven garments, jute fibers and products, jute yarn, fisheries products like shrimp and other crustaceans, raw hides, leather goods, footwear, oil seeds, and human hair. Most recently, Bangladesh has started exporting mangoes to China.

Over a quarter of Bangladesh's imports originate from China. The primary imports include machinery, cotton, electrical machinery, recording and reproducing equipment, electrical components, knitted fabrics, synthetic fibers, plastics, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, fertilizers, paper products, and woven fabrics.

Textile and Apparel Industry: The textile and apparel sector is a crucial component of Bangladesh's economy, and it plays a significant role in the bilateral trade with China. China exports machinery and equipment for Bangladesh's textile industry, while Bangladesh exports finished textile and apparel products to China.

Bilateral Agreements: Bangladesh and China have signed multifaceted trade agreements and frameworks such as APTA, Bilateral Trade Agreement (1982), DFQF access (under this scheme Bangladesh are getting 100% tariff line on products to China), China-Bangladesh Investment Co-operation to foster economic cooperation. These steps cover a range of areas, including trade, investment, and technical cooperation. They provide a framework for collaboration and pave the way for enhanced economic relations.