China’s Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, has extended an invitation to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for a state visit to China. Concurrently, he also conveyed the potential for significant investment by Chinese companies in Bangladesh and the creation of approximately 100,000 job opportunities.
Ambassador Yao Wen delivered this invitation on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping during a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhaban on Sunday (August 30) afternoon.
During the meeting, the Ambassador stated that around 30 Chinese companies could invest an estimated $500 million in the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ). He further added that these investments could generate approximately 100,000 job opportunities for the local populace of Bangladesh.
The Chinese Ambassador also briefed the President on the progress made following the Prime Minister of Bangladesh’s recent visit to China. He informed that, as a continuation of that visit, progress has been achieved in various areas, including the groundbreaking ceremony for the CEIZ, a commercial agreement for the modernization of Mongla Port, and potential cooperation in establishing the Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh’s recent visit to China would further broaden and strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
Various issues of mutual interest to both nations were also discussed during the meeting. These include the integrated management and restoration project of the Teesta River, the swift initiation of strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level, and the launch of ‘2+2’ diplomatic and defense dialogues at the state minister level.
Furthermore, discussions also encompassed increasing the export of jackfruit, mango, and guava from Bangladesh to China, cooperation in the solar energy sector, the establishment of electric vehicle assembly plants, and the China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
The strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in addressing the Rohingya crisis also received significant attention in the meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed their commitment to further solidify the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and China, and to work towards unlocking new avenues of economic, trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation.
