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Published : 14 Jul 2024, 06:06 PM
Sheikh Hasina has announced that China has agreed to provide Bangladesh with $2 billion in the form of grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans, and commercial loans.
At a press conference at the Gonobhaban on Sunday afternoon, where she shared her experiences from a three-day visit to China, the prime minister said commitments were made for financial assistance in these four forms during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Under these four packages, China has agreed to provide an equivalent of $2 billion US dollars to Bangladesh,” she said.
Hasina said on the morning of Jul 9, she met Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB, and urged it to invest in infrastructure development in Bangladesh, including river dredging and sectors conducive to combating climate change.
During the business conference titled 'The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Summit on Trade, Business, and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China', the prime minister shared her experiences and invited the Chinese business community to take advantage of the world's most liberal investment system in Bangladesh.
She called for greater investment in infrastructure, ICT, tourism, agricultural-processing industries, renewable energy and energy sectors, climate-resilient smart farming, waste management, and green technology development sectors.
She discussed the plan to establish three special tourism zones in Bangladesh and the opportunities for Chinese investment in the real estate and hospitality sectors there, which garnered interest from Chinese business leaders.
The premier said during the conference organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in China, BIDA, BSEC, and the China World Summit Wing, interest was expressed by Vice Minister of Commerce of China Li Fei, Chairman of China Communications Construction Company Limited Wang Tongzhu, President and CEO of HSBC China Mark Wang, and Senior Vice President of Huawei Simon Lin.
In the conference, memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between representatives of 10 Bangladeshi companies and 16 Chinese companies.
On the afternoon of Jul 9, she met with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CPPCC, and emphasised the importance of increasing communication between the Awami League and the Communist Party of China. They agreed on mutual visits by party leaders.
The prime minister also sought China's full cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
“During my meeting with Premier Li Qiang, we discussed the historic relationship between Bangladesh and China, China's assistance in implementing various infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, challenges following Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status, and the potential for trade and investment in Bangladesh.”
“I requested increased exports of agricultural products, leather, and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh to China to reduce the trade deficit. I thanked him for providing duty-free access to 98 percent of products produced in Bangladesh,” she said.
Premier Li responded positively when she sought China's infrastructure and financial support for the implementation of the Southern Integrated Development Initiative, SIDI, planned for the development of southern Bangladesh.
“I am optimistic about continuing China's support after Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status in 2026,” she said and also confirmed China's support on this matter.
Following the meeting, a total of 21 MoUs were signed across various sectors between Bangladesh and China. Additionally, seven declarations of bilateral cooperation were announced, including the exploration of a potential free trade agreement between Bangladesh and China.
On the afternoon of Jul 10, Hasina had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
During the news conference, she expressed her gratitude to President Xi for Chinese assistance in constructing major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including the Padma Bridge, and the Bangabandhu Tunnel.
“Through President Xi Jinping, I invited Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in industrial ventures on 800 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram. I also requested investments from China in 100 economic zones and specialized ICT zones across Bangladesh.”
“The president of China assured further investment here, acknowledging the ongoing support of China to Bangladesh,” she added.
"My visit will be marked as a significant part of Bangladesh's diplomatic activities," she concluded.
