United News of Bangladesh

Referring to the US-imposed tariffs, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday said Bangladesh and China need to work to safeguard the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules and multilateral trade regime. “That (WTO rules) is the centre to protect our common interest,” he said, adding that they support all the measures taken by Bangladesh to safeguard their legitimate interests. The Ambassador made the remarks while responding to a question after attending a seminar in the capital. WTO is the only international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The fundamental goal of the WTO, as set out in its founding agreement, is to use trade as a means to improve people's living standards, create better jobs and promote sustainable development. Beijing working with Dhaka, Islamabad to follow up “concrete cooperation”: Ambassador Yao   The Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) hosted a seminar titled ‘China-Bangladesh Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation’, during which it released its ‘Industry Reports’. Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, along with representatives from the agencies concerned and departments of the Bangladesh government and business leaders from both countries were present. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday said Bangladesh hopes to build on the progress made during the first round of fruitful negotiations with the United States, as the second round of talks on the tariff issue is set to begin in Washington DC today (Wednesday). The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity and direct investment policy and overseeing negotiations with other countries. Starting on August 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump said they will charge Bangladesh a tariff of only 35% on any and all Bangladeshi products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said the visit of the largest-ever business delegation in Bangladesh from China, led by Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, later this month would send a ‘strong signal’ of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and will elevate the Bangladesh-China economic and trade relations to a new level. “We are confident that this visit will send a strong signal of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and will elevate China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations to a new level,” he said at a programme here, adding that Chinese Minister of Commerce will lead more than 100 Chinese investors to visit Bangladesh at the end of this month. During the visit, the two sides will co-host a trade and investment exchange event, where hundreds of Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises will engage and explore more cooperation opportunities. Ambassador Yao said the 15th meeting of the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission will be held to agree on concrete measures to further our economic and trade cooperation. Mangoes, Hilsa to Hit Chinese Market Soon He said they are also accelerating the exportation of Bangladeshi mangoes to China. By early June this year, the Ambassador said, the first batch of fresh mangoes will be on the Chinese market. On top of that, he said, procedures for importing Bangladeshi jackfruit and guava are also ongoing. "We hope that Bangladesh can soon open up Hilsa exports to China—after all, Chinese foodies can’t wait to enjoy this delicious fish on their dining tables," said the Ambassador. Prof Yunus welcomes investment proposals from UAE in various sectors As more of Bangladesh’s quality agri-products make their way to China, and as more Chinese companies bring investment and innovation to this vibrant land, the Ambassador said they will absolutely see something incredible happen! "Bangladesh’s industries will grow stronger, supply chains will become more robust, and—most importantly—people’s lives will be better with new opportunities and greater prosperity," he said, adding, "This is what we could do together, for our shared future." The Ambassador said China’s support for Bangladesh’s development is a genuine and straightforward commitment. "It will always remain unchanged regardless of shifting circumstances." He said China is the largest investor in Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government. China has granted zero tariff treatment to 100% of Bangladeshi taxable items exported to China and promised to extend this preferential policy to 2028, two years after the graduation from the LDC status. Since last August, over 15 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh, with a total intended investment of around 400 million USD. More than 30 companies have signed letters of investment intent with the Chittagong Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone. Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the country lecture on ‘Five Decades of Bangladesh-China Relations: Towards a New Height’ at the BIISS auditorium. BIISS Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis delivered welcome remarks while its Chairman AFM Gousal Azam Sarker chaired the session. Executive Director of the Centre for Alternatives, Bangladesh Imtiaz Ahmed made a presentation. Senior officials from different ministries, serving and retired military officials, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academicians and students from various universities, representatives from  different think tanks, international organisations, participated in the country lecture and shared their opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session. In the Lecture, participants expressed their firm belief that as Bangladesh progresses toward its development goals and China continues its global outreach, the next chapter of this relationship promises even greater collaboration and mutual prosperity. By embracing innovation, trust and shared vision, they said, Bangladesh and China can forge a future that benefits their peoples and the broader Asian region.  

Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus’ scheduled visit to China from March 26-29 is going to be the “most important visit” by a Bangladesh leader over the last 50 years as the two countries are eyeing to take the relations to a new height. “This is going to be the most important visit by a Bangladeshi leader in 50 years,” said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, quoting Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen who  met Dr Yunus on Sunday. Alam said a big focus will be given on relocation of Chinese factories to Bangladesh to make the country a manufacturing hub "We want to create a revolution in the manufacturing sector," said the press secretary, adding that it helps create more jobs and boost export from Bangladesh to the global market. Reform initiative completely a homegrown process: CA’s Press Secretary He said there will be a series of engagements during chief adviser's China visit. Ambassador Yao called on the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna to discuss the upcoming visit to China. Highlighting the outcomes of the meeting, Alam said the Boao Forum for Asia is called Davos of the East where top leaders of Asia and different countries and chief executive officers (CEOs) of giant global firms participate. On the sidelines of the forum, he said, the chief adviser is likely to have meetings with CEOs of some companies. EU to support Bangladesh in holding elections meeting international standards Dr Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first ever bilateral meeting on March 28. Dhaka and Beijing are eyeing stronger ties marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations. The chief adviser will attend a programme on March 29 at the Peking University and will return to Dhaka at night (same day). As per the plans, the chief adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. On March 27, Dr Yunus will participate in the inaugural plenary session of the BFA and Executive Vice President of the State Council will meet the Chief Adviser the same day. On August 25 last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Dr Yunus to visit China at his convenience. “China and Bangladesh are best friends and trustworthy partners. So, whatever change is taking place internationally or domestically in Bangladesh, our policy remains steadfast,” Ambassador Yao said recently, adding that no matter who forms the government China wants to be their partner and their policy is not related to any particular government. He said they believe their cooperation is for the benefit of all the Bangladeshi people and the people of China as well. BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation. He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia. Many heads of international and regional organizations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said. He said the event will focus on four subject areas: building trust and promoting cooperation in a fast-changing world; rebalancing globalisation for inclusive development; accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals for more effective responses to global challenges; and strengthening AI application and governance for innovation-driven development.