Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, at the Secretariat.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the meeting, held at the commerce minister’s office on Wednesday afternoon, discussed various aspects of bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
He remarked that China is a long-tested friend and one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh.
“We expect that the volume of Chinese investment in Bangladesh will increase further in the future,” the commerce minister said.
Noting that production at six fertiliser factories in the country is disrupted due to gas shortages, he stated, “We are looking for investors who can import LNG to restart these fertilizer factories, and the government will purchase the produced fertilizer.”
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, also the Textiles and Jute Minister, called upon Chinese investors to invest in the closed jute mills.
He also informed that China could cooperate in developing digital infrastructure, establishing e-learning centers, and advancing artificial intelligence.
He said, “Such cooperation will place the relationship between the two countries on an even stronger foundation.”
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen congratulated the BNP on its victory in the 13th national parliamentary election and Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on assuming office as commerce minister.
He stated that China wants to play a role in creating employment by increasing investment in Bangladesh. “China will bring the first investment during the tenure of the elected government,” Ambassador Yao Wen said.
He also expressed hope that significant changes would occur in the next five years and invited the commerce minister to visit China.
Commerce State Minister Md Shariful Alam, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Md Abdur Rahim Khan, and Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akhtar were present at the meeting.
