Photo : Collected
China has been a steady trade partner of Bangladesh since the two countries established diplomatic relations in the mid-70s; cooperating in some significant middle and large-scale projects in the country. Bangladesh also imports most of its industrial raw materials and machinery from China through legal channels. The need for continued business partnership between the two friendly countries has been reiterated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her 4-day official visit last week.
During the bilateral visit to China, she addressed a Summit on “Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China” and said in clear terms, “It is time to invest in Bangladesh, and I am confident that with our hands joined together, we can achieve great things.” She urged the Chinese business community to invest in Bangladesh's main sectors for mutual benefits, taking advantage of the world's most moderate investment regime. The timely summit was organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Beijing, BIDA, BSEC and CCPIT at China World Summit Wing.
It is an important point to note here that the Bangladesh PM has invited Chinese entrepreneurs and investors to invest in Bangladesh's potential sectors like ICT, tourism, agro-processing industries, development sectors and particularly in the energy sector, including renewable energy. If developed properly, these sectors will be able to earn huge foreign currency for the country.
It may be mentioned here that already China has financed and provided technical assistance in the completion of a good number of mega-projects in Bangladesh like power plants, highways and bridges. Many more such projects are on their way to completion within the near future.
The latest visit to China by the prime minister is expected to bring greater benefits to the people of the two countries as it rekindled the hope for completing the Chinese Economic and Industrial zone. Once put in operation, this special zone will attract coveted investment. There is also a greater possibility of setting up two new zones for the development of tourism and solar-electricity in the country.
We hope the impediments to establishing the special economic zones will be removed soon to facilitate Chinese investors to arrive here. The sooner the projects go into production the better for the country.
Messenger/Fameema
