POWERCHINA contributes to Belt and Road

Since the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed five years ago, POWERCHINA has actively participated in construction projects in Bangladesh, one of the countries along the Belt and Road, according to Xiong Lixin, deputy general manager of POWERCHINA International Group (POWERCHINA-Intl).

"The story of our development in Bangladesh shows that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought real benefits to countries along its trade routes ," he said.

"Over the past five years, more than 20 member companies of POWERCHINA have participated in the market development of Bangladesh."

"They have invested a lot of human resources in planning and design, project construction, operation and maintenance, and have achieved fruitful results."

POWERCHINA currently has 14 projects underway in Bangladesh, worth a total of 4.7 billion US dollars.

He added that POWERCHINA has made long-term development plans in Bangladesh. The company adheres to the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and creating value-added and sustainable development for customers and owners by making full use of its strengths.

"With the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant project in Bangladesh serving as a perfect example, POWERCHINA enterprises have found solutions to many of Dhaka's problems, which involve its location, size, and sludge treatment processes," he said.

"Our meticulous work and strong communication have been recognized by the local people, which has enabled us to win this project with a contract value of 280 million US dollars. The project marks a major breakthrough for POWERCHINA in the international marketing of water projects."

He pointed out that during its construction period, the project will provide about 1,000 jobs for locals. After it is completed, the quality of life in Dhaka is expected to be improved.

According to its deputy general manager, after years of intensive involvement in the Bangladeshi market, POWERCHINA is now more confident about the future development of the country and is gradually investing in industries that play to its strengths.

In recent years, POWERCHINA has also invested in coal-fired power station projects in Bangladesh to help deal with the country's electricity shortage problem, a move that has been supported by local governments.

He believes that in the past five years, the Belt and Road Initiative has brought about solid development in countries along the Belt and Road, provided opportunities for Chinese enterprises to expand internationally and enhanced the global competitiveness of Chinese enterprises.

"Many domestic enterprises have participated in the Belt and Road, as they are provided with an opportunity to expand outside of China and their chances of international success are higher," he said.

POWERCHINA is currently cooperating with Shandong Expressway and other companies to invest in airport viaduct projects in Bangladesh.

He also said that the Belt and Road will play a positive role in improving the quality and efficiency of Chinese enterprises.

In the past five years, the overseas business models of Chinese companies overseas have undergone profound changes. State-owned enterprises such as POWERCHINA have moved on from simply contracting overseas projects to making overseas investments, and the competitiveness of overseas operations has been improved.