'Keeping new height of Dhaka-Beijing tie is the challenge'

The discussion, titled 'Bangladesh-China ties at new heights,' was held on Saturday at the Dhaka Tribune premises. Discussants said that with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit and the consequent agreements for investment, ties between the two nations had made a jump to higher levels. Economist Mustafizur Rahman pointed out that while infrastructural capabilities were poor in Bangladesh, those were the very same fields that the Chinese were focusing on. “While we have reached a higher plane, staying there will be the challenge,” he said. Mustafiz, the executive director of the think tank CPD, said he expected the government to focus energy on the projects the Chinese were funding, make meritocratic appointments, ensure transparency and build institutional capabilities. Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, said this government was quite capable of managing the investment that had been brought in. “I think China invested so heavily here because they have the faith that this government can do its job,” he said. “And our government has the track record to show for it.” FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmed also praised the government saying its digitalisation drive had made it more transparent and efficient. “We have sent a letter to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority asking them to form a committee on this that will see through the implementation of all the investment,” he said. “But none of this will happen if there is political instability in the country,” he added. The roundtable was organised by Bangla Tribune and broadcast live by Ekattor TV. It was moderated by Mithila Farzana and attended by Kazi Nabil Ahmed MP, Nahim Razzaq MP, former Bangladesh ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed, former foreign secretary Towhid Hossain, Centre for Policy Dialogue ED Mostafizur Rahman, BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaid and Bangla Tribune acting editor Zulfiqer Russell.