Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined the plenary session of the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF), popularly known as the Summer Davos Forum, in Dalian on Wednesday.
The session began at 9am local time at the Dalian International Conference Centre, bringing together world leaders, policymakers and business executives to discuss innovation-led growth and international cooperation.
WEF President and Chief Executive Officer Alois Zwinggi delivered the opening remarks.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Kazakh Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov also attended the session.
On the sidelines of the event, Tarique Rahman held talks with several heads of government and senior leaders on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing areas of mutual interest.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, economic development and regional connectivity.
Participating leaders also joined an official photo session during a break in the programme.
Held under the theme “Innovating at Scale”, the annual meeting has brought together government leaders, business executives, academics and policy experts from around the world to exchange views on opportunities and challenges facing the global economy.
The event marks Tarique Rahman’s first participation in a World Economic Forum meeting since assuming office as prime minister.
On Tuesday, the prime minister addressed a session of the forum and later met WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi on the sidelines of the conference.
He also attended a state dinner hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang alongside the prime ministers of South Korea, Mongolia, Guinea, Montenegro and Kazakhstan.
Later on Wednesday, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel from Dalian to Beijing by high-speed train.
The prime minister arrived in Dalian from Kuala Lumpur on Monday night with his spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and a high-level delegation comprising ministers, state ministers and advisers.
A Chinese government delegation received him with a red-carpet welcome and escorted him to his hotel.
Tarique Rahman is visiting China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.
As part of the visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li on 25 June and President Xi Jinping on 26 June.
The prime minister is expected to return to Bangladesh on the night of 26 June, concluding his first official overseas visit since taking office.
