China Invites Bangladesh President for Visit, Signals $500m Investment
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has invited President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to pay a state visit to China on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The ambassador extended the invitation during a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhaban on Sunday (August 30). He also highlighted the potential for major Chinese investment in Bangladesh and said around 30 Chinese companies are expected to invest about $500 million in the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), creating nearly 100,000 jobs for local people.
During the meeting, Mr. Yao Wen briefed the President on the progress made during the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s recent visit to China. He highlighted progress on laying the foundation stone of the CEIZ, signing a commercial agreement to modernise Mongla Port and possible cooperation in establishing the Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ). President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the Prime Minister’s recent China visit would further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
The meeting also discussed the Teesta River integrated management and restoration project, the early launch of a strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level, and plans to introduce a State Minister-level ‘2+2’ diplomacy and defence dialogue. Other areas of discussion included exporting jackfruit, mangoes and guavas from Bangladesh to China, solar energy projects, electric vehicle assembly plants, the China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor and stronger cooperation to address the Rohingya crisis. Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening Bangladesh-China relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, economic development and diplomacy.
