Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday emphasised on strengthening bilateral ties between Bangladesh and China, while putting a special focus on boosting trade relations in the days to come to reap most benefits from this friendship.
Addressing an event titled “BCCCI-ERF Best Reporting Award on Bilateral Relationship between Bangladesh and China” as the chief guest on Sunday, Tipu said, “There is no doubt that China is a great friend of Bangladesh, and they play a large role in our development efforts.”
The Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) jointly organised the programme at Dhaka’s ERF Auditorium, where Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Li Jiming spoke virtually as the special guest.
Mentioning that trade and commerce in recent times play a very significant role in global politics, the minister said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always directs the Bangladesh missions abroad to prioritise enhancing trade and commerce relations with different countries, and thus boosting exports.
“China is the largest supplier of machineries and goods to Bangladesh, and it is also our largest trade partner. Bangladesh’s RMG sector could have faced a difficult time amid the Covid-19 pandemic if the flow of materials coming from China had stopped.”
Tipu noted that Bangladesh enjoys almost half of its global financial relationship with China and it really means a lot for the country.
Li Jiming in his speech said Bangladesh has made remarkable achievements in economic development and also in different socio-economic fields over the last 50 years. The country has attained the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the schedule too, he said.
“I am also sure that Bangladesh is going to graduate from the LDCs by 2026 and also could be among the top 25 economies by 2030,” Jiming added.
Referring to the issue of development cooperation, Jiming said everyone should keep in mind the new industrial revolution which is gaining momentum with the emergence of new business models and digital economy.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has provided new opportunities to leapfrog developing countries like Bangladesh,” he said.
The Chinese Ambassador said that Chinese President Xi Jinping during his address at the just concluded 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had proposed a global development initiative which would pursue stronger, greener and healthier global development.
“I hope that Bangladesh will actively support this global development initiative ….global development initiative will also be the guideline of future Bangladesh-China trade and economic relationship,” Jiming noted.
The Chinese Ambassador said Bangladesh is an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative, and it was also the first country to join this initiative.
He also invited Bangladeshi businesses and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi to participate in the upcoming China International Import Exposition and the Canton Fair set to be held in China.
Later, the minister – along with the distinguished guests – distributed awards to ten best reporters in ten different categories. Each of the recipients received a crest, a certificate and a cheque of Tk 50,000.
BCCCI President Gazi Golam Murtoza chaired the event, while Secretary General Md Shahjahan Mridha Benu and ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam gave the welcome remarks. ERF President Sharmeen Rinvy gave the vote of thanks.
The award recipients are – Category 1: Bilateral business relations: Abul Kashem, The Business Standard; Category 2: Investment of Chinese state-run companies in major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, Shakhawat Hossain: The New Age; Category 3: Chinese private sector investment in Bangladesh: Ahsan Habib; The Daily Star; Category 4: Bangladesh’s private sector’s growing ties with Chinese companies: Mousumi Islam, Alokito Bangladesh; Category 5: Life of Chinese investors and their workers in Bangladesh and the small businesses they have set up here: Jasim Uddin Haroon, The Financial Express; Category 6; Challenges facing booming Bangladesh-China relationships: Late AZM Anas, The Financial Express: Category 7: China as a destination of higher education for thousands of Bangladeshi students: Babu Kamruzzaman, News24; Category 8: Bangladesh-China private and public sector ties in the health sector, especially in the coronavirus pandemic and post pandemic scenarios: Alamgir Hossain, Jamuna Television; Category 9: Bangladesh-China private and public sector ties in tourism, hospitality and cultural sectors: Tahidul Islam, Gazi Television; Category 10: Geo-economics/economic diplomacy, particularly focusing Bangladesh and China: Masuduzzaman Robin, Jamuna Television.
