Bangladesh, China ink 13 MoUs to bolster investment, trade, education
MoUs focus on trade expansion, human resource development, education, health, media collaboration.
Bangladesh and China today (25 June) signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering various areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The MoUs were signed following talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, focusing on bilateral relations, trade, investment, infrastructure development and other issues of mutual interest.
The deals were signed by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, and two senior Bangladeshi officials, reports UNB.
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Briefing reporters, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the agreements cover a number of areas, including investment cooperation, trade expansion, human resource development, education, health, and media collaboration.
Investment cooperation, promotion of green development, and the formulation of joint action plans to strengthen bilateral collaboration have also been covered, he said.
"The discussions also focused on enhancing Bangladesh's export capacity to increase shipments to the Chinese market, as well as expanding development cooperation," he said.
Mahdi said both sides discussed ways to improve the terms of Chinese concessional loans to Bangladesh, including the possibility of lowering interest rates and extending grace periods.
"MoUs were also signed under the framework of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), covering cooperation in health, education, manpower capacity building, and other development-related areas aimed at strengthening institutional and human resource capacities," he added.
A different cooperation plan on human resource development was also signed, while another MoU was concluded to facilitate the export of Bangladesh's national fruit, jackfruit, to China, the PMO spokesperson added.
He said two separate MoUs were signed on introducing Mandarin language education in school curriculum in Bangladesh and enhancing cooperation in technical and vocational education, according to the UNB report.
The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the media sector of the two countries and strengthen collaboration among think tanks of, said Mahdi Amin.
Four MoUs were signed involving state-owned television channels and newspapers of the two countries to enhance exchanges and cooperation, he said.
About the investment-related MoU, the PMO spokesperson said a deal was inked to attract greater Chinese investment in the economic zones of Anwara and Mongla.
"There is a separate MoU on how we can set up new Chinese factories, Chinese production facilities in the economic zones in Bangladesh... and generate employment through them," he said.
About four MoUs related to media cooperation, a press release from the PMO said the four important documents were signed with China's Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group (CMG).
Earlier in the day, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the BNP signed an MoU to enhance communication between the two parties.
Under the MoU, the two parties are expected to enhance communication and cooperation, particularly in the fields of media, think tanks, people-to-people exchanges and initiatives aimed at improving living standards.
Tarique along with his delegation joined a banquet hosted by his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang at the Great Hall after their meeting today.
China keen to support Teesta project
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, Mahdi said China has expressed strong interest in supporting Bangladesh's Teesta River management project through technical assistance, planning and feasibility studies.
He said both sides agreed on the importance of conducting a joint feasibility study for the Teesta project, describing it as a critical step for such a large-scale undertaking.
"China wants to work with Bangladesh on the joint feasibility study and contribute its expertise to integrated water resource management and drainage systems," the spokesperson added.
Mahdi also revealed that several Chinese banks are considering launching operations in Bangladesh, encouraged by ongoing reforms in the country's financial sector.
"China believes there are investment opportunities in Bangladesh's banking sector as the country continues to strengthen and modernise its financial system," he said.
PM to meet Xi on Friday
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will call on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. During the meeting, the Bangladesh premier will raise various issues related to Bangladesh's national interests, said Mahdi, reports BSS.
Tarique, who is now on a four-day visit to China, is scheduled to depart Beijing for Dhaka on Friday afternoon. A 24-member delegation is accompanying him on the trip.
On the final day of the visit, the Prime Minister's schedule also includes a meeting with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China at the Great Hall of the People as well as a visit to the National Museum of China.
