China has strengthened its position as Bangladesh’s top import source, accounting for 28.57% of total imports in December 2024—up 5.51 % point’s year-on-year—according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. This trend continued throughout the October–December quarter, reflecting Bangladesh’s growing reliance on Chinese raw materials and machinery.
The surge is attributed to China’s lower production costs, deferred payment terms, and deflation-driven export competitiveness. In contrast, India’s share remained stable at around 13–14%, while Indonesia’s share fluctuated. Economists warn that Bangladesh’s increasing dependence on China could pose risks and advocate for trade diversification toward Southeast Asia, the EU, or South Korea.
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