Hasina urges China businesses to increase trade, investment
The Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Orion International Holding Company of China for setting up a garment village at Gazaria in Munshiganj. Under the agreement, the Orion Holding will construct the garment village at Gazaria. BGMEA president Md Atiqul Islam and Orion Holding chief executive officer Tang Xiaoji signed the MoU in the presence of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, Hasina, while addressing Bangladesh-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade at Presidential Beijing Hotel in Beijing Tuesday afternoon, urged the Chinese entrepreneurs to visit Bangladesh to explore the possibilities of increasing trade and investment.
She termed Bangladesh as a lucrative destination for foreign investment.
‘I welcome you all to be our partners in our business activities and to share together the gains and benefits, profits and prosperity as we journey forth as friends and partners to the future,’ she said.
The prime minister said she firmly believed that Chinese investment in Bangladesh would be profitable and worthwhile, particularly in manufacturing and service sectors.
‘The two-hour flight from Kunming to Dhaka should allow you the opportunity to see for yourself the potentials for business awaiting you in Bangladesh,’ she said.
Hasina said while addressing Bangladesh-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade at Presidential Beijing Hotel in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.
CCPIT chairman Jiang Zengwei presided over the function attended by leading Chinese business leaders, chiefs of corporate bodies, manufacturing and trading companies, investment groups, construction, power generating and engineering companies.
ERD secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Bangladesh ambassador in
Beijing Muhammad Azizul Haque, FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, BGMEA president Md Atiqul Islam, Sany Heavy Industry Co Ltd general manager Cui Yongqian and Ningbo Four Seasons Import and Export Company Ltd general manager Bao Huihong, among others, also spoke on the occasion.
The prime minister said Bangladesh was also uniquely placed between the markets of South and Southeast Asia and China, and was becoming a regional economic hub.
‘Bangladesh’s involvement in numerous regional trading frameworks and development of multi-modal connectivity with the neighbours will soon make it a centre of bustling economic activity in the region.’
Hasina said Bangladesh was looking forward to the quicker progress of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
Highlighting the packages the government is offering to the foreign investors, the prime minister said that Chinese investors might also participate in joint ventures with Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.
‘They could invest in sectors not yet tapped such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tourism, education, healthcare, road and rail communications, petrochemicals, and agro-based industries, among other things,’ she said.
Pointing out the huge trade imbalance between the two countries, the prime minister hoped that China would be importing more of Bangladeshi jute and jute products, leather and leather products, frozen fish, ceramics, lentils, etc to reduce the trade gap.
Hasina said China had given duty-free access to over 4,700 Bangladeshi products under APTA since July 2010.
‘Hopefully the remaining key exportable items from Bangladesh would be included on the China’s duty-free and quota-free lists,’ she said.
-With New Age input
