Bangladesh maintains a strong and growing relationship with India, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, has said.
Shafiqul made the statement while speaking to journalists at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday.
He highlighted the increase in trade between the two nations during the interim government's tenure while also acknowledging ongoing visa-related complexities.
"In the past seven months since taking office, our trade with India has expanded further. Our relations remain positive, though some visa-related issues persist. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can provide more details on that. However, we want a relationship based on fairness, equality, and mutual respect," he said.
Shafiqul also highlighted the significance of the chief adviser’s upcoming visit to China, calling it a "historic trip."
He said China is interested in importing three agricultural products from Bangladesh on a large scale—mangoes, jackfruit, and guavas.
"We anticipate this visit will open new doors for exports to China. Chinese consumers already like Bangladeshi mangoes, and this trip will further facilitate market access. They also enjoy jackfruit, and we hope to export it in substantial quantities," he said.
To ensure mango quality, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has allocated $4 million to Bangladesh, he mentioned. "There are certain export standards that must be met, and FAO is providing us with technical assistance to maintain them. As a result, Bangladesh's mango exports to China will increase significantly," he added.
Furthermore, he noted that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is advocating for Chinese healthcare institutions to invest in Bangladesh.
"This would bring high-quality healthcare services to our doorstep. China has a well-regarded healthcare system, and if this materializes, major cities like Dhaka will benefit. Special efforts are being made in this regard. Strengthening ties with China in the healthcare sector has been a topic of discussion for the Chief Adviser, and it will be a key priority in this visit," he said.
During the press conference, Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder announced that the Media Reform Commission will submit its report to the chief adviser on Saturday.
He also mentioned that the Women's Reform Commission’s report is expected to be submitted within this month or after the chief adviser’s return from China.
Regarding sports administration, he noted that various sports institutions had ad-hoc committees in place. To address this, a search committee was formed, but there was no fixed timeline for its work, he added.
"Today, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has set a deadline of April 20 for the search committee to complete its task," he added.
