Medical advisor pursues funding from Chinese manufacturers in the healthcare equipment sector
Chinese Medical Investment Surges in Bangladesh's Health Sector
A surge in Chinese investment in Bangladesh's medical sector has been observed, driven by the Bangladeshi government's reform efforts to improve the investment climate and create a conducive environment for businesses.
Following an appeal by Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum on August 8, 2025, Chinese medical equipment manufacturers have shown growing interest in investing in Bangladesh.
During the inauguration of the "Nihao! China-Bangladesh Health and Medical Advancement Expo" at Hotel Sarina in Banani, Dhaka, the investment urge was made. The event, organised by the Belt and Road Healthcare Center, Bangladesh, with support from several local associations, aimed to introduce modern Chinese medical systems, hospital services, and healthcare technologies to the Bangladeshi public.
More than twelve leading hospitals in China participated in the event, including Boao Yiling Hospital, Fosun Health, Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Guangzhou Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Guangzhou Shengmei Hospital, Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital, Kunming Tongren Hospital, Modern Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, and Xing Mei Hospital. These institutions provided on-site and online medical consultations and support services to Bangladeshi patients, signaling deeper health sector cooperation.
Visitors had the opportunity to receive both on-site and online consultations from Chinese specialists, as well as information about medical invitation letters, visa assistance, and free translation services.
Nurjahan Begum urged Chinese firms to invest, highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms to simplify regulatory frameworks and create a business-friendly environment. She praised China’s support in medical emergencies and noted plans for a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur funded by China, along with a rehabilitation center for July fighters through an MoU.
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), led by Ashik Chowdhury, spearheaded efforts to engage Chinese investors in key sectors including healthcare and medical devices, as part of broader economic outreach during a July 2025 delegation to Shanghai and Guangzhou. An investment seminar held on July 21, 2025, in Shanghai, jointly organized by BIDA and the Bangladesh Embassy, drew over 100 Chinese investors and companies from healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other sectors, highlighting strong Chinese interest.
Bangladesh offers dedicated economic zones and competitive tax incentives for Chinese investors, including in emerging sectors like medical equipment, reinforcing the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination. On the Chinese side, policy advancements aim at boosting high-end medical device innovation and regulatory facilitation, which may further encourage Chinese companies to expand overseas collaborations such as in Bangladesh’s healthcare market.
In summary, there is a clear trajectory of increasing Chinese investment interest in Bangladesh’s medical equipment sector, catalysed by government appeals, sectoral expos, investment promotion missions, and bilateral healthcare projects following Nurjahan Begum’s appeal.
- Interest in the health-and-wellness industry, particularly medical-conditions and health-technology sectors, has escalated as a result of the surge in Chinese investment in Bangladesh's medical sector.
- The finance and investing sectors play a significant role in this growth, as Chinese firms are increasingly opting to invest in Bangladesh's healthcare sector, influenced by the country's promising economic environment and government reforms.
- The healthcare industry in Bangladesh is evolving, thanks to the inflow of resources from the Chinese finance sector, with a focus on improving medical service standards, introducing advanced medical systems, and facilitating health-and-wellness practices in collaboration with Chinese institutions.
