During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent trip to China, a relatively inexperienced businessman, Rafiur Rahman Khan Yousufzai Sunny, secured initial agreements worth $280 million with Chinese companies.

Sunny, a local political leader from Tangail district unit of Awami League and owner of several businesses, seemingly leveraged his presence on the official delegation to facilitate these deals.

One of his companies, Billion Ten Communication Ltd, despite having no prior operational history, signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various Chinese firms.

These MoUs outline plans for Billion Ten and another Sunny-owned venture, E.B. Solutions Ltd, to assist Chinese companies in investing in Bangladesh's renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors.

When Bangla Outlook visited the address listed on Billion-10's website recently, it discovered that Sunny's other company called EBS was operating there.

Officials of the company explained that they refrained from providing extensive information on their website for strategic reasons.

Nevertheless, they assured that comprehensive details about the company and its operations would soon be made public following the finalization of agreements.

Two company officials mentioned their plan to relocate the factory from Gazipur to Habiganj after signing the MoUs, while maintaining their headquarters in Dhanmondi.

Bangla Outlook visited the Dhanmondi address listed on Billion-10's website, but building security guards were unable to provide information about the company.

However, one guard mentioned "Rafi sir" traveling to China with the Prime Minister. EBS employees on the seventh floor did not offer details about the company but did issue a press release.

As per the press release, while the company lacks experience in manufacturing electric vehicles, they have been producing a budget-friendly mobile handset named Jio for a considerable period.

Company officials also confirmed Sunny’s connection with Tangail district's Awami League.

According to a Daily Manobjomin article from November 1, 2022, Sunny was involved with Chhatra League during his student years.

After pursuing higher education abroad, he returned to Dhaka to pursue business activities and later joined the Awami League. He subsequently received support from the late MP Bir Muktijoddha (freedom fighter) Ekabbar Hossen of Mirzapur and became associated with the Upazila Awami League.

An article dated November 21, 2023, from Dhaka Times reports that Sunny has garnered the trust and support of the people of Mirzapur, Tangail, through his extensive social work.

As a result, he has filed nomination papers for the Tangail-7 constituency, using the boat symbol for the upcoming national parliamentary elections. The article also highlights Sunny’s longstanding involvement in grassroots social initiatives with the Mirzapur community.

Sunny however didn’t get the nomination later on.

Bangla Outlook wasn’t able to get any statement from Sunny.

However, the press release given by his company said, mentioning Sunny, that MoUs are “a significant achievement” for him and his companies.

“Through the implementation of these optimistic projects, we aim to make a special contribution to the economies and job creation of both countries," said Sunny, as per the press release.

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