Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated the newly built Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal.

Hasina inaugurated the exhibition centre virtually from Ganobhaban, her official residence in Dhaka.

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The centre equipped with modern facilities will act as the permanent venue for different product-based fairs throughout the year, according to officials.

The ambitious project, jointly financed by Dhaka and Beijing, was undertaken by the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh.

The construction of the modern structure on a 20-acre land in the Purbachal New City Project Area was carried out by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) at a cost of Tk 1,303.50 crore.

The exhibition centre has 33,000 sq metres of floor space, including an exhibition hall covering 15,418 sq meters.

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The spectacular centre has its own water treatment plant, CCTV control room, Wi-Fi system, a modern fountain, and remote-controlled entrance gate.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi chaired the virtual event, while senior officials of the government joined it physically from the exhibition centre.

The Commerce Minister said that Dhaka International Trade Fair 2022 will be inaugurated at the exhibition centre on January 1, 2022.  

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming and Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh spoke at the function, while EPB vice chairman and CEO AHM Ahsan delivered the welcome speech.

On his part, the Chinese Ambassador said that Bangladesh has made remarkable achievement in economic development and social transformation.

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He said this exhibition centre will not only help boost Bangladesh's exports but also its social and economic development. "The centre was named after Bangabandhu on the occasion of his birth centenary."

A documentary film was also screened focusing on the development of Bangladesh and features of the newly constructed exhibition centre.