We welcome China’s official support for signing a Free Trade Agreement with Bangladesh.
The proposal made during this week’s bilateral talks in Dhaka has huge potential to boost trade between our two countries and narrow the trade-gap for Bangladeshi exporters.
It is a tangible sign that our diplomats are building on the close relations between our two nations. Since the prime minister’s visit to Beijing in June, Chinese officials have expressed satisfaction that valuable progress is being made on establishing an exclusive economic zone for Chinese investors in Bangladesh.
The government should act swiftly on China’s proposal.
A free trade deal would not only open up new opportunities for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs but would also provide an important boost for our ties with Asia’s leading economy.
With China’s strong track record in developing infrastructure and manufacturing and with many Chinese companies increasingly looking to move production to lower cost economies, there is every incentive for Bangladesh to develop closer relations.
In particular, China’s interest in developing regional connectivity via the BCIM Economic Corridor is of great significance to our economy. It is encouraging that both our governments recognise the value of improving rail and road connectivity via the proposed Chittgaong-Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar-Kunming route.
Both Bangladesh and China should continue to build strong support in progressing connectivity in order to give life to the hope expressed by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Bangladesh can act as a bridge between South and South East Asian countries.
