Bangladesh has proposed establishing a direct road connection from Chattogram to Kunming through Myanmar to reduce trade time and transport costs with China’s Yunnan province, aiming to move goods between the two regions within 24 hours.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir placed the proposal during a meeting with a high-level delegation from China’s Yunnan province, led by Executive Vice Governor Zhao Junmin, at the Secretariat on Sunday.
The proposed 1,200-kilometre road network could strengthen connectivity among Bangladesh, Myanmar and southwestern China by reducing logistics costs and creating a more efficient regional supply chain, the minister said.
He also highlighted Yunnan as a potential export destination for Bangladeshi products, noting that the province has a population of around 46.4 million.
Khandakar Abdul Muktadir sought early implementation of duty-free bonded warehouse and exhibition facilities in Yunnan to help Bangladeshi exporters access the market.
Bangladesh and Yunnan recorded bilateral trade worth more than 1.3 billion yuan in 2025, according to the meeting.
Zhao Junmin said Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to come under Yunnan’s special trade facilitation policy.
Under the policy, Yunnan has taken initiatives to provide bonded warehouse facilities, exhibition centres and customs-related support for Bangladeshi products, which would be operational soon, he said.
The Yunnan delegation leader added that a location had been selected for displaying Bangladeshi products in the province following a memorandum of understanding between Yunnan’s Commerce Department and Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau.
The meeting also discussed expanding direct cargo flight connectivity between the two regions. Bangladesh proposed increasing exports of jute and jute products, leather goods, frozen fish, fruits and agricultural products to Yunnan while exploring imports of flowers, fertiliser and animal feed from the province.
Direct cargo links with northeastern Bangladesh could create new opportunities for trading perishable agricultural products, officials said.
The commerce minister also proposed establishing a joint research centre to improve the quality and productivity of Bangladeshi jute.
He called for stronger cooperation in energy, e-commerce and technology sectors.
He invited entrepreneurs from Yunnan, particularly women entrepreneurs, to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
Zhao Junmin welcomed the proposals and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and other potential sectors.
