In order to comprehensively showcase the achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation between China and Bangladesh, the second edition of exhibition has been inaugurated at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.
As the chief guest, Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin inaugurated the two-day exhibition while Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Power, Energy and Mineral Additional Secretary Md Sobur Hossain, Additional Secretary & Wing Chief Economic Relation Division of Finance Ministry Mirana Mahrukh, and president of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) Han Kun, among others, were also present there.
Speaking there, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said the road safety situation in Bangladesh is extremely alarming. It’s almost like a mass killing.
He added, “The number of people who die on our roads every year is staggering, and we all feel very unsafe because of the highly unsafe commercial vehicles in our country.
“We really need to improve this situation, and China can help us a lot in this regard. I was suggesting – why don’t some good Chinese companies come to Bangladesh and manufacture quality trucks?”
Bashir continued, “We have a large market. So, we need to utilize all the components of our nearly half-a-trillion-dollar economy and turn it into a one-trillion-dollar economy as soon as possible,” he highlighted.”
The adviser also emphasised for fostering trade and investment between the two countries, sought collective efforts.
Bashir pointed out, “China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. Bangladesh imports goods worth over $22 billion from China. Unfortunately, our exports come nowhere close to matching our imports from China. China is one of the most competitive sources for our imports.
“Honorable Ambassador Yao Wen has taken many initiatives to diversify our export potential, including promoting exports like mangoes, but we still have much more to do.”
He then said, “However, we must identify which intermediate industrial products can be manufactured in Bangladesh today, as this will strengthen the competitiveness of our industrial sector.”
Speaking there, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Bangladesh is the first country among the south Asian countries who responded the BRI. It makes a new dimension.
“China has taken economic and socio-economic development initiatives over the 50 years. During the interim government, China has become a largest source of investment in Bangladesh.
In first half of this year, China investment in Bangladesh increased by 254.3 per cent since August last year,” he also informed.
He also added that China is ready to cooperate Bangladesh in trade and investment.
Md Sobur Hossain urged Chinese investors to invest in renewable energy sector in Bangladesh and take its opportunity.
Mirana Mahrukh said Bangladesh wants to strengthen the existing relationship with China. “We are committed to build a discrimination free Bangladesh. So, we need cooperation” she added.
A total of 80 booths from 40 companies took part in the exhibition. Of this, 32 Chinese companies attended there.
This international exhibition objects to boost Bangladesh – China cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, energy, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. It features high-level B2B and G2B networking, and insightful seminars on trade, investment, and innovation.
