30 Chinese companies keen to invest $500m in Bangladesh

At least 30 Chinese companies hope to invest around 500 million dollars in Bangladesh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said on Sunday.

He made the disclosure while paying a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangabhaban this afternoon, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS.

The investment is expected to create around jobs for around one lakh people.

During the meeting, the Chinese ambassador also invited the President to pay a state visit to China at a convenient time.

Yao Wen briefed the President on the outcomes of Prime Minister's recent visit to China, highlighting progress in several areas, including laying the foundation stone of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), signing a commercial agreement to modernise Mongla Port and possible cooperation in establishing the Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister's recent China visit would further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and China.

The two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the Teesta River Integrated Management and Restoration Project, launching a foreign minister-level strategic dialogue, and initiating "2+2" diplomacy and defence dialogue at the state minister level.

They also discussed the process of exporting Bangladeshi jackfruits, mangoes and guavas to China, cooperation in solar power and electric vehicle assembly, the China-Bangladesh-Myanmar economic corridor and strengthening bilateral efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.

The ambassador recalled President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's visit to China during his tenure as LGRD Minister.

Both sides expressed their determination to elevate the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and China through stronger and more multifaceted cooperation.

President's Public Division Secretary and Military Secretary were present at the meeting.