Swapon seeks Chinese cooperation for Bangladesh economic uplift
The Chinese delegation was led by Comrade Zhao Junmin, member of the Standing Committee of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Prime Minister's Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon today (27 September) said Bangladesh wants to strengthen bilateral relation with China for the recovery and development of the country's economy.
"The journey of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations that began in 1976 under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman has subsequently been further strengthened and made more dynamic under the visionary leadership of late Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia and incumbent Prime Minister Tarique Rahman," he said.
He made the remarks at a reception in a city hotel today in honour of a high-level Chinese delegation visiting Bangladesh.
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Swapon said it is possible to accelerate the recovery of Bangladesh's economy by utilizing China's production capacity and technological advantages, as one of the major driving forces of the global economy, and harnessing the country's young working-age population.
The Chinese delegation was led by Comrade Zhao Junmin, member of the Standing Committee of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, MP, Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP, and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, among others, attended the reception.
Highlighting the importance of reducing the trade deficit, Swapon said Bangladesh imports goods worth more than $22 billion from China every year, while its exports to China amount to less than $1 billion.
"To address this huge trade deficit, the Chinese government has provided nearly 100 percent duty-free access for Bangladeshi products, as well as allocated a free display centre and storage facilities covering 2,000 square kilometres in Kunming city of Yunnan Province," he said.
He further said that opening a new economic corridor from Kunming through Myanmar to Chattogram Port and road connections would add a new dimension to the economies and trade of both Bangladesh and China.
Praising the diplomatic contribution of Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who is set to complete his tenure in Bangladesh and leave on October 3, he expressed hope that bilateral trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and China would continue to grow.
Members of the Chinese delegation and leaders of different political parties were present at the programme.
