United News of Bangladesh

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.  

A big business delegation from China will  be visiting Bangladesh soon that manifests strong economic ties between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has said. The 100-member Chinese business delegation will be led by the Commerce Minister of China. Expressing satisfaction at the ease of visa, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin  underlined that the affordable airfare on Dhaka- Kunming flights would further encourage Bangladeshi patients to receive treatment in China. Bangladesh thanked the government of China for offering special medical treatment facilities for Bangladeshi patients in Kunming. Bangladesh also requested the Chinese government to increase scholarships to Bangladeshi students by Chinese Universities. The issues were discussed when Director General of the Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Peng Xiubin met the Foreign Secretary at his office this week. Rohingya issue was also discussed at the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support to one-China principle and expressed satisfaction on the successful visits of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to China and having fruitful interactions with their counterparts, which have enhanced cooperation in a number of areas including trade, investment, health and educational sectors. The Director General appreciated the warm and friendly attitude of the people of Bangladesh towards China and said that China and the Communist Party of China will be with the people of Bangladesh to fulfill their dreams and expectations in pursuit of economic development and growth. Prof Yunus seeks Dhaka-Baku direct flight to boost economic ties with Azerbaijan Referring to the recent successful visit of the Chief Adviser to China and having fruitful discussion with President Xi Jinping, the Director General said that Bangladesh is an important partner and trusted friend.  He said that China will work to strengthen bilateral trade, continue to support the infrastructural development and enhance cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Peng Xiubin reiterated China’s strong support to Bangladesh as a close-door neighbor and development partner as part of its neighborhood diplomacy. He added that the contact between the political parties of two countries is an important pillar of Bangladesh-China relationship and the CPC looks forward to expanding these exchanges to think tanks and academia. The Foreign Secretary thanked the Chinese government for its continued support in this regard and thanked the Director General of IDCPC for visiting Bangladesh.