Dhaka Seeks China’s Enhanced Support for Clean Energy Drive

Dhaka Seeks China’s Enhanced Support for Clean Energy Drive

Dhaka has called for greater Chinese support to advance its clean energy and sustainability goals, urging enhanced investment and technology transfer to accelerate Bangladesh’s economic growth and environmental protection efforts.

Speakers at a workshop on Saturday highlighted the need for China’s increased financial and technical assistance in clean air initiatives, renewable energy development, and modern waste management systems to ensure a greener future.

The workshop, titled Sustainability Governance of China’s Global Infrastructure Investment (SGAIN), was organised in collaboration with the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the inaugural session as chief guest, while Dr. Badrul Hasan, Lead of SGAIN Bangladesh, presided over the session.

“China has long been a key development partner of Bangladesh, contributing financial and technical support in infrastructure, socio-economic development, and environmental protection,” said Rizwana Hasan. She underscored the importance of sustainable governance to safeguard the environment and the well-being of future generations.

Emphasising the need for stronger cooperation, she noted that green building practices remain limited in Bangladesh and reaffirmed the country’s target of generating 30 per cent of its total energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Among other distinguished participants were Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University; Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC); and Dr. Yixian Sun, Principal Investigator of SGAIN, who delivered the introductory remarks.

The event featured three technical sessions — “Five Decades of Bangladesh-China Relations: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead”, “Bilateral Cooperation between China and Bangladesh for Net Zero and Energy Transition”, and “China’s Role in Green Industrialisation in Bangladesh.”

The first session reviewed the evolution and future prospects of bilateral relations, while the second explored strategic cooperation to achieve net-zero emissions and energy transition goals. The third session examined opportunities for Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s emerging green industries.

In his presentation, Dr. Badrul Hasan recalled that diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China were established in 1975, followed by the signing of an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement in 1977 worth US$58 million. However, major Chinese investment in Bangladesh began to materialise after 2007.

Other notable attendees included Dr. AK Enamul Haque, Director General of BIISS; Shah Mohammad Mahboob, Executive Member of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); and Inamul Haq Khan, Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The workshop brought together policymakers, academics, energy sector entrepreneurs, and leading Chinese investors to explore pathways for deepening Bangladesh-China cooperation in renewable energy and sustainable development.