Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen has announced that formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) will soon begin after the two countries exchanged feasibility study results last week.
“We are committed to concluding the feasibility study reports as early as possible within this year, and will officially launch the negotiations soon afterwards,” he stated.
According to report, the ambassador views this most recent development as a significant advancement in trade and economic relations between Beijing and Dhaka.
The Chinese Ambassador was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 2024 Chinese government training programs held on Wednesday evening at the Embassy in Dhaka.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Wing Chief of Finance Ministry Additional Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain joined the event as the chief guest while Disaster Management and Relief Ministry’s Additional Secretary Md. Hasan Sarwar spoke at the event, among others.
Ambassador Yao averred under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh successfully held the general election as scheduled.
“It’s my conviction that under the strong and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will be stronger, more united, more prosperous and more resilient in the next five years, which will also guarantee the continuous improvement and upgrading of China-Bangladesh cooperation,” he said.
More than 5,500 government officials and professionals have been taught for Bangladesh by the Chinese government’s training programmes, which serve as crucial venues for people-to-people interactions and cooperation in economic and social development between China and Bangladesh.
“As the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, I am pleased to see that China has deeply participated and played an important role in Bangladesh’s economic and social development,” added the envoy.
China has been and will continue to be Bangladesh’s most dependable friend and partner on the modernization journey. He went on to say that win-win cooperation and mutual respect have been exemplified by China and Bangladesh.
According to the envoy, the Bhanga-Rupdia Section of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project and the Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line Project have both been successfully placed into trial operation.
Electricity generation has begun at Cox’s Bazar Wind Power Project, S. Alam Coal Fired Power Plant, and Barishal Power Plant.
This year will see the beginning of construction on the China-Aid Project of the Burn Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the Rajshahi Surface Water Treatment Plant, and the Waste to Energy Power Plant Project in North Dhaka.
According to Yao, more direct flights between Beijing and Dhaka will launch very soon.
