Dhaka-Beijing keen to expand coop
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Both Dhaka and Beijing are keen to expand cooperation in multi-dimensional spheres, focusing on infrastructure, digital trade, green energy, and technology transfer with a view to creating more opportunities for businesses and boosting employment in Bangladesh.
The issues were discussed when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin at the latter’s office and talked on divergent issues focusing on strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
According to Chinese Embassy information shared on its facebook page, both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on deepening the level of trade and investment cooperation.
In recent years, bilateral trade has continued to surge, with Bangladesh seeking greater access for its products to the Chinese market to address the trade imbalance.
Recently Yao Wen in an event in Dhaka said, Chinese investment in Bangladesh has surged by 3.7 times.
“Since last August, nearly 20 Chinese Companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladeshi partners, with a total intended investment exceeding $400 million. Chinese has become the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh since the interim government took office,” he said.
He also said, “China not only supports the current interim government but also has full confidence in Bangladesh’s future elected government. No matter who leads Bangladesh, China will continue to increase trade and investment in the country, supporting its sustainable development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods.”
He further said that a sound investment environment requires institutional safeguards and hoped that Bangladesh will work with China towards the same direction, to expedite the launch of negotiations on upgrading the China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty and the China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement. He said that such agreements would further bolster the confidence and determination of Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.
The Chinese Ambassador further stated that China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to follow the strategic guidance of our leaders’ important consensus, take the Golden Jubilee as a new starting point, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote the integration of industrial and supply chains as well as investment and trade.
“Together, we can elevate our economic and trade relations to new heights, and further contribute to the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” he added.
He further said that Chinese enterprises will continue to thrive in Bangladesh and contribute to its economic and social development as well as the improvement of people’s livelihoods through joint efforts.