China to provide money equal to 2 billion USD to Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that in a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned 4 areas of assistance in grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans and commercial loans. Under these four packages, China agreed to provide money equal to 2 billion US dollars to Bangladesh.

The premier said this in a press conference after China tour at 4:00 pm on Sunday (July 14).

In the written speech, she said I paid a bilateral visit to China from July 8 to 10 at the invitation of the Honorable Chinese Premier of the State Council Mr. Li Qiang.

Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Private Industry and Investment Adviser, State Minister for Power and Energy, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and IT, State Minister for Commerce, senior government officials and a business delegation were my entourages.

Upon my arrival in Beijing on July 8, I was greeted with a red carpet reception at the airport.

In the morning of July 9, Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), paid a courtesy call on me. I urged AIIB to invest in Bangladesh's infrastructure development, river dredging, climate change and other useful sectors.

Later, I participated in a business summit titled "The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China". My entourage business delegates and top businesspersons of China took part in it.

In the summit, I invited the Chinese business community to invest in Bangladesh, taking advantage of the world's most liberal investment regime. I called for robust investment in infrastructure, ICT, tourism, agro-processing industry, energy sector including renewable energy, climate-resilient smart farming, waste management, green technology and development sector.

When I mentioned the plan to establish 3 special tourism zones in Bangladesh and the opportunity for China to invest in real estate and hospitality sector, the Chinese business leaders also showed utmost interest in this regard.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei, China Communications Construction Group Company Limited Chairman Wang Tongzhou, HSBC China President and CEO Mark Wang, Huawei Senior Vice President Simon Lin spoke and expressed their eagerness at the summit organized by Bangladesh Embassy, BIDA, BSEC and China World Summit Wing.

In this summit, 16 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed with representatives of 10 Bangladeshi companies and various Chinese companies.

In the afternoon on July 9, I met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In this meeting, we put emphasis on increasing communication between Awami League and Communist Party of China. We also agreed on mutual visits of the party leaders. I sought China's full cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

In the afternoon on that day, I paid my tributes at the China's traditional Tiananmen Square.

In the morning on July 10, I had a bilateral meeting with Honorable Chinese Premier of the State Council Mr. Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Upon reaching the Great Hall, Mr. Li Qiang welcomed me and the national anthems of the two countries were played. Armed Forces of China offered me a warm welcome with Guard of Honor and gun salute.

During the bilateral meeting with Premier Li Qiang, we discussed the historical relations between Bangladesh and China, China's assistance in implementing various infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, cooperation in dealing with the challenges of Bangladesh's post-LDC graduation period, trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh, etc.

To reduce the trade deficit between Bangladesh and China, I requested for more exports of Bangladeshi agricultural products, leather, medicines etc. to China. I thanked him for providing duty-free access to China for 98 percent of Bangladeshi products.

I believe that Bangladesh and China will continue the progress of development through mutual assistance in the context of global reality in global warming, Palestine crisis, human rights, sustainable development, United Nations etc.

We have a long-standing relationship as Asian countries not only in the economic field, but also in the traditional aspect. I think communication and cooperation in the fields of research, education, ICT, technology, culture, etc. will take the bilateral relations of Bangladesh and China forward in building a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and modern Smart Bangladesh.

My visit will be marked as a significant part of Bangladesh's diplomatic activities.