Bangladesh is aiming to revive stalled Chinese financial assistance during Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s visit to Beijing from March 25-28, sources said on Wednesday.
Despite high-level engagements, including a visit by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July 2024, China’s financial support to Bangladesh has seen little progress over the past two years. The last major loan from China was in May 2023, when Beijing provided $276.25 million for Rajshahi’s water supply and sewerage systems.
Officials at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) have been seeking meetings with Chinese counterparts but have yet to receive a response. The upcoming visit is expected to include discussions with President Xi Jinping on March 28, raising hopes for a breakthrough.
Several infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including those at an advanced stage, have faced delays due to pending financial commitments from China. In 2016, Beijing had pledged $20 billion for 27 priority projects, but funding confirmation remains incomplete.
Efforts to expedite assistance have continued, with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain visiting China in January 2025. While discussions led to an agreement in principle to extend Bangladesh’s loan repayment period from 20 to 30 years, no significant progress was made on stalled funds.
