The company plans to produce electric three-wheelers, lithium and other types of batteries, as well as mobile phones and accessories.
Transsion Holdings. Photo: Collected
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Transsion Holdings. Photo: Collected
Highlights:
- Transsion plans to manufacture EVs, batteries and mobile phones in Bangladesh.
- The Chinese firm has requested 50 acres for manufacturing facilities.
- Government proposed Karim Jute Mills land through lease or partnership.
- Transsion seeks export cash incentives alongside existing tax benefits.
- Its three smartphone brands previously held 40.9% market share.
- Transsion already operates a Bangladesh factory producing one million phones monthly.
Chinese technology firm Transsion Holdings, the parent company of smartphone brands itel, Infinix and Tecno, is interested in investing in Bangladesh to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and mobile phones.
The company plans to produce electric three-wheelers, lithium and other types of batteries, as well as mobile phones and accessories.
To establish manufacturing facilities, Transsion has sought 50 acres of land from the government. The government has proposed land belonging to state-owned Karim Jute Mills Limited in Demra, Dhaka, inviting the company to invest through a long-term lease or joint partnership.
Several officials at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Commerce told TBS on condition of anonymity that the Chinese firm has also sought cash incentives against export, although the government has yet to make a decision.
A delegation led by Transsion Founder and Chairman George Zhu is currently visiting Dhaka to discuss the investment proposal.
Infograph: TBS
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Infograph: TBS
The delegation met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 9 November and presented its plans. Zhu also met Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on 8 November.
Officials said the delegation visited Karim Jute Mills, which has around 25 acres of land, half the area sought by the company.
The government has informed Transsion that it could receive tax holidays and other incentives available to foreign investors under existing policies.
Policy incentives for EV, battery production
The proposed investment comes as Bangladesh offers tax incentives to encourage domestic EV and battery manufacturing.
Under the FY27 budget, manufacturers of electric three- and four-wheelers with higher local value addition will enjoy exemptions from all duties and taxes on imported raw materials and components, except a 3% customs duty.
The government has also extended duty exemptions until 30 June 2030 on raw materials imported for local production of lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries and battery packs.
It is also encouraging domestic manufacturing of batteries and energy storage systems to support solar power expansion.
Strong presence in smartphone market
Transsion’s three smartphone brands have a significant presence in Bangladesh, particularly in the affordable and mid-range segments.
According to Counterpoint Research’s 2023 market analysis, Tecno held 15.8% of the country’s smartphone market, followed by Infinix at 13.3% and itel at 11.8%. Together, the brands accounted for 40.9% of the market. These figures may have changed since then.
Transsion already has a manufacturing presence in Bangladesh. In May 2023, it inaugurated a factory operated by Ismartu Technology BD Limited at Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj.
The company initially invested around $22 million in the facility, which spans more than 22,000 square metres and has a reported monthly production capacity of one million smartphones and feature phones. It also announced plans to create more than 2,000 jobs.
Global technology company
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Transsion operates across emerging markets in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Its itel brand targets affordable technology products, while Infinix focuses on younger consumers with features such as gaming, fast charging and advanced displays. Tecno emphasises camera technology and design.
Beyond mobile phones, the company markets accessories under Oraimo and household appliances under Syinix.
Its Carlcare brand provides after-sales services. Transsion has also expanded into electric vehicles and energy storage products.
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