Munshi for free mind for enhancing economic growth of Bangladesh & China

Bangladesh wants to build a strong bilateral and regional trade relation with China and it would be possible if both the countries can work together with a free mind, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said.

The commerce minister made the remarks while he was speaking as chief guest at a programme titled "China-Bangladesh Partnership-Building Strong Communities Together Report launch" at Chinese the embassy on Sunday night.

BSS adds: He said, "If we work together with a free mind, I think, we will be able to enhance the economic growth of the two friendly countries (Bangladesh and China)."

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled "China-Bangladesh Partnership-Building Strong Communities Together Report launch" held at Chinese the embassy on Sunday night.

Munshi said Bangladesh believes that regional integration, regional connectivity and intra-regional trade can boost the economic growth of this Asian region which will help improving the economic condition of the people.

"All our steps are for the welfare and well-being of the people of these two countries (Bangladesh and China) and finally for the people of this region," he said.

The minister said global economy and trade have come to a halt due to lockdowns and disruptions caused by Corona pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

"To overcome from the backdrops of economic activities, especially trade, commerce and investment, we have to emphasize on regional integration," he said adding that Bangladesh would build greater cooperation, contact and trust amongst the closest neighbors.

Munshi said Businessmen can play pivotal role in the implementation of proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and China.

The opportunities are created by the governments but it is expected that the business people will build up rapport among themselves harvesting the benefit of such cooperation.

Currently the FTA feasibility study is 'underway' between Dhaka and Beijing and after completing all formalities, Bangladesh is expected to sign the agreement with China.

The minister expressed his believe that the report on "China-Bangladesh Partnership Building Strong Communities Together" which was launched at the event would create a new momentum between business communities of both countri1es.

At the event Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen presented the keynote speech where he expected that Chinese enterprises will take more responsibilities of promoting the sustainable development in Bangladesh and deepening the friendship between the two countries.

"We will make the people of the two countries strengthen friendship, enhance well-being, become closer to each other, and cultivate more envoys of friendship, so that the China-Bangladesh friendship will be passed on from generation to generation," he said.

The envoy said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and also the 7th anniversary of Bangladesh's participation in the Chinese initiative.

Yao said that the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh is taking the lead in writing a research report regarding the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh, which comprehensively demonstrates the current situation and future development direction of China-Bangladesh friendship.

The ambassador said his country would strengthen theoretical and practical exchanges with Bangladesh on modernization, synergize our development strategies.

"We will make the people of the two countries strengthen friendship, enhance well-being, become closer to each other, and cultivate more envoy of friendship, so that the China-Bangladesh friendship will be passed on from generation to generation," he said.

The ambassador handed over the 'China-Bangladesh Ambassador Friendship Award' to six Bangladeshi nationals for their contribution in Bangladesh-China ties.

The purpose of establishing 'China-Bangladesh Ambassador Friendship Award' is to encourage more Bangladeshi youths to study hard and pursue their dreams, to encourage them to contribute to the epic story of China-Bangladesh friendship, and inspire them to devote themselves to the cooperation between the two countries, said the ambassador.

President of Chinese Enterprises Association of Bangladesh (CEAB) Ke Changlian also spoke on the occasion.