Tarique Holds Investor Talks in Dalian Amid Foreign Investment Focus

Bangla Press Desk:  Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has spent a packed day in China’s northeastern city of Dalian with a strong focus on attracting foreign investment.

On Tuesday, it marked his first participation in an international forum as head of government.

He attended multiple events at the World Economic Forum (WEF)-organised conference.

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) spokesperson Mahdi Amin said WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi paid a courtesy call on the premier in the morning.

“Discussions focused on how Bangladesh’s democratic government can increase investment, create employment and advance development for its people. The WEF also appreciated different government initiatives,” he said.

In the evening, the prime minister delivered a speech at the WEF session titled “Climate Leadership in a Shifting Global Landscape”.

His advisor said the government’s climate-related initiatives had already received international recognition.

“In continuation of that, he was invited to present Bangladesh’s initiatives on the global stage,” Mahdi said.

He added that Tarique outlined his election manifesto-based climate action plan, including excavating and re-excavating 20,000km of rivers and canals, improving water management in the Padma and Teesta basins, planting 250 million trees, expanding green industries such as jute products and electric vehicles, and raising renewable energy’s share to 20 percent.

Quoting the premier, he said: “Climate action is not a cost; it is an essential investment for prosperity, stability and future generations.”

He also said Tariqye stressed effective implementation of loss and damage funding, accessible climate finance, and equal emphasis on mitigation and adaptation.

“He called for global solidarity, technology transfer and coordinated international cooperation to tackle the climate crisis,” Mahdi added.

Later in the evening, Tarique and his spouse attended a dinner hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang for visiting heads of government participating in the “Summer Davos” in Dalian.

Leaders from South Korea, Mongolia, Guinea, Montenegro and Kazakhstan also joined the state banquet, which allowed informal exchanges among seven heads of government.

Mahdi said the visit was expanding Bangladesh’s prospects for investment and employment while also enabling the country to learn from global best practices.

On Wednesday, Tarique will attend the World Economic Forum’s “Annual Meeting of the New Champions” alongside other world leaders.

He will later depart Dalian for Beijing at 2pm local time via high-speed train.