Trade with China and implementation of local mega projects would not be affected if Bangladesh responded rationally to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said on Wednesday.
He said most of the raw materials used in Bangladesh’s textile and garments industries, spare parts and medical equipment were imported from different parts of China, other than Wuhan.
Gazi Golam Murtoza, president of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI), said export-import between the countries declined slightly in the last two months.
However, the current trade disruption would be compensated through enhancing trade between Dhaka and Beijing, he added.
The ambassador and the chamber president made the remarks at a press briefing on novel coronavirus and overall trade situation at National Press Club in the capital.
Chinese embassy and BCCCI jointly organized the event.
Replying to a question, Li Jiming said, “The trade with China will not be hampered and implementation of mega projects where Chinese are engaged will not face ant serious problem.”
People in China were now getting back to work after celebrating the Chinese New Year, he said, adding that the epidemic was mostly concentrated in Wuhan.
Only one out of 10 people who went to China for celebrating Lunar New year holidays came back to Bangladesh, Li Jiming said.
“We hope people from all walks of life in Bangladesh will not panic but calmly and rationally evaluate the risk,” he said.
Responding to a query, he said the business community in Dhaka was concerned whether they should switch to other destinations from China for industrial supplies because of the breakout of the epidemic.
BCCCI president Gazi Golam Murtoza said the virus spread widely only in Wuhan province. There were many other Chinese provinces where the virus was yet to infect people, he assured.
“Recently I have heard the government might impose some restriction on imported Chinese goods. The goods don’t contain virus, but people may contain it," the Chinese ambassador argued.
He also said, “All measures related to restriction should be based on evidence, based on science... not based on panic and so on,”
Replying to a question on shortage of food alleged by some Bangladesh citizens now staying in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, Chinese ambassador said there was no shortage of food and people could stay indoors in safety with limited opportunity to go out for things like groceries.