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BSS-27
PM-JINPING-TALKS 4 LAST BEIJING
Turning to the projects being implemented in Bangladesh with Chinese
assistance, the premier said during the Chinese President’s visit to
Bangladesh in 2016, as many as 27 agreements and MoUs were signed between the
two countries. She put emphasis on expediting the implementation process of
the projects.
Sheikh Hasina requested the Chinese President to ease the terms and
condition of loan agreements for timely disbursement of fund for expediting
the implementation process of the projects.
In response, Xi Jinping said he will take proper measures about the
matter.
Talking about trade and investment issue, the prime minister said
Chinese companies should invest in Bangladesh with a buy-back facility to
ease the big trade imbalance against Bangladesh.
Noting that two economic zones remain designed for Chinese companies in
Bangladesh, she said the Chinese entrepreneurs can make investment also in
other economic zones as her government setting up 100 economic zones in the
country.
In response, the Chinese President said they are aware about it and will
make all sorts of efforts to reduce the trade imbalance.
He said they encourage the Chinese investors to make their investment in
Bangladesh.
The Chinese side discussed the trade gap issue very rationally, Haque
said.
Xi Jinping always put emphasis on open trade, free trade, multilateral
trade, trade based on rules and effectiveness of WTO.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh always believe in open
trade, transparent business, multilateralism and WTO.
There was convergence of options over multilateralism between the two
leaders, said the foreign secretary.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister sought Chinese assistance for implementing
the Delta Plan 2100, setting up a Climate Adaptation Centre and
implementation of Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration
project.
In response, the Chinese President assured that they will help set up
the Climate Adaptation Centre and consider extending Chinese assistance for
Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.
Both the sides pledged they will work together in the United Nations,
Haque said
In the meeting, the two sides gave very importance over BCIM economic
corridor saying the corridor initiative will have to be revived working
together with India.
The BCIM corridor will open a new market for China, Bangladesh, India
and Myanmar, they said.
Chairperson of National Advisory Committee for Autism and
Neurodevelopment Disorders Saima Wazed Hossain, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul
Momen, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and State
Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, among others, were on the
Bangladesh side during the bilateral talks between Sheikh Hasina and Xi
Jinping.
The prime minister later joined a banquet hosted by the Chinese
President at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.
BSS/SH/FI/ 2335 hrs