Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged Chinese businesses to expand their industrial footprint in Bangladesh, promising sweeping reforms, new economic zones and a dedicated investment office in China as his government steps up efforts to attract foreign investment.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Investment Forum at Beijing's Diaoyutai Hotel, Rahman told an audience of 125 Chinese business leaders that Bangladesh is "open for business, ready for the future, and committed to building a deeper industrial partnership with China."

The conference, organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), began at 10:30 a.m. local time. BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury delivered a presentation highlighting investment opportunities and incentives available to Chinese investors.

Calling on Chinese companies to extend their global value chains into Bangladesh, Rahman said his government is implementing a 180-day reform roadmap aimed at overhauling the country's investment regime.

The plan, he said, focuses on cutting bureaucratic red tape, digitizing government services, ensuring policy continuity and creating a more predictable, investor-friendly business environment to facilitate international capital inflows.

The prime minister also announced that work is underway to establish the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone at Anwara and a second economic zone at Mongla to accommodate growing foreign investment.

In another move aimed at strengthening economic engagement with Beijing, Rahman said Bangladesh will soon open its first overseas Investment Office in China to provide dedicated support and services to Chinese investors.

The forum was attended by Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, the Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Adviser on Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates' Welfare, Overseas Employment and Labour Mahdi Amin, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, among other senior officials.

The investment forum forms part of Rahman's official visit to China, where Dhaka is seeking to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation with Beijing amid renewed efforts to position Bangladesh as a regional manufacturing and export hub.