Staff Correspondent: Inviting Chinese investors to join hands in transforming Bangladesh at this "Very strategic moment," Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called for building a future together which can touch the sky by exploring the extensive opportunities that Bangladesh offers.
"We have to build a future together which can touch the sky. That's the potential we have together… I invite you to explore the extensive opportunities that Bangladesh offers," he said while speaking at the inaugural session of the "China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade".
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, among others, spoke at the event.
Prof Yunus said the engagement of the Chinese investors signifies a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations and hoped that China would help Bangladesh see a similar transformation. The Chief Adviser said this is a new journey that will continue to explore new horizons.
Prof Yunus recalled that he requested Chinese President Xi Jinping to encourage Chinese investors to engage in Bangladesh. "I am honoured that President Xi followed it up."
Describing China as a master of manufacturing, he laid emphasis on building a partnership between the two countries for mutual benefits.
Prof Yunus said BIDA has been restructured, and the new BIDA is committed to facilitating the investment journey of the Chinese investors.
Make Bangladesh A Production Hub
The Chief Adviser urged the Chinese investors to make Bangladesh their home and production hub.
Prof Yunus said the young people of the country are ready to accept the challenge.
"Your engagement signifies a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations," said the Chief Adviser, seeking investment and collaboration in the areas of textile, garment, pharmaceutical, agro processing, fisheries, jute and information and technology
He said the Chinese investors have transferred their economies to some Southeast Asian nations.
Prof Yunus hoped the Chinese investors' visit would mark the start of "Similar transformation" of this country, Bangladesh. "Thank you for your visit at this very strategic moment," said the Chief Adviser, expressing gratitude to the Chinese Commerce Minister, who is leading the largest ever delegation from China. Prof Yunus said Bangladesh has an amazing power of young people who are very talented and committed to creating a new Bangladesh. "Please be part of our history and make a history for this nation with us," he said.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus emphasised working together with China to give jute the right place in Bangladesh's economic programmes, paying due respect and reviving the lost glory.
"This country is a unique country that produces enormous quantities of natural fibre. Together, we can make a wonderful start of jute to give it a right place in our economic programme," he said, thanking Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao who mentioned the potential of jute and jute products. "When you mention that you are excited about jute and see jute products, this means a lot for the nation," Prof Yunus said, adding that jute is the natural fibre in the world that they have failed to respect.
Speaking at the 'China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade', the Chief Adviser said this is a historic moment for the Bangladesh-China enduring friendship.
"When you talk about jute, it is an emotional issue for Bangladesh," Prof Yunus said, noting that jute remains a fibre just for making sacks.
Calling Bangladesh a home to "Jamdani" and many other fabrics, he said jute can be used in multiple ways.
Prof Yunus also recalled the lost glory of Muslin as Dhaka muslin was the most valuable fabric on the planet.
Minister Wang said China is willing to help Bangladesh improve its export capacity, promote the integrated development of trade and investment, jointly maintain the multilateral trading system and inject more stability and certainty into the world economy.
He said China is also willing to work with Bangladesh to implement the important economic and trade consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.
The Chinese Minister emphasised the promotion of the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthening cooperation in trade, e-commerce, production and supply chains, and investment.
Minister Wang, who is visiting Bangladesh, said that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, the two countries have always supported each other, treated each other as equals, and cooperated for mutual benefit.
The Chinese Commerce Minister arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to discuss trade and investment opportunities with Bangladesh and elevate the 'Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership' between the two countries to a new height.
Chinese Minister Wang joined the investment and trade conference as a special guest.
"It will serve as a platform for business communities of both countries to explore more cooperation opportunities, foster more fruitful outcomes in China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation," said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) jointly organised the event.
Ambassador Yao said the visit of the largest-ever business delegation in Bangladesh from China, led by the Chinese minister of commerce, sends a 'strong signal' of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit.
Minister Wang met Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Saturday and the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation.
Bashir said Bangladesh and China have a profound friendship, and China is Bangladesh's most important partner.
He welcomed more Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Bangladesh and was willing to strengthen cooperation with China in agriculture, manufacturing, e-commerce and other fields to promote more balanced development of bilateral trade.
Bangladesh firmly supports free trade, upholds WTO rules and promotes the inclusive development of global trade.
After the meeting on Saturday, the two sides jointly signed the 'Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Working Group on Facilitated Trade' and the 'Memorandum of Understanding on E-Commerce Cooperation'.
