AL International Affairs Secretary Dr Shammi Ahmed and visiting Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) Song Tao inked the MoU on behalf of their respective parties at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganobhaban in the city.
The deal was signed after a meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Song Tao at Ganobhaban in the evening.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister sought China’s support for safe and sustainable return of Rohingyas to Myanmar from Bangladesh.
In reply, the CPC leader assured her of China’s cooperation for safe repatriation of Rohingyas and said Beijing is already working to this end.
PM's Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
“China can play an important role in repatriation of Rohingyas,” Nazrul quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, hoped that the relations and cooperation between the two friendly governments and the two parties will strengthen further in the days to come.
Song Tao also expressed the same hope, saying CPC and AL believe in the similar ideology.
The Prime Minister said China is one of Bangladesh’s very important partners in developing its various sectors, particularly power and infrastructure. “Such cooperation is playing a significant role in increasing Bangladesh’s GDP growth.”
She mentioned that steps have taken to further expand the cooperation between China and Bangladesh in trade and communication.
Pointing to China’s project to export gas to Myanmar through pipeline, Hasina proposed bringing gas through the pipeline from Myanmar to Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram where 700 acres of land were allotted to China for setting up an industrial park.
She also called for bringing more Chinese investors who can invest in various sectors of Bangladesh for mutual benefits.
The Prime Minister also sought Chinese cooperation to further advance Bangladesh’s agriculture sector, saying China has huge experiences as it made development in the sector.
Song Tao said China will also look into the issue on how more Chinese investment can be made for the development of Bangladesh.
He, on behalf of the CPC, again greeted Sheikh Hasina on her assumption as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth term.
The CPC leader appreciated Bangladesh’s high GDP growth as more than 8 percent growth would be achieved in the current fiscal year.
He conveyed greetings of the Chines President and Premier to Sheikh Hasina for her assumption as Prime Minister for the fourth term and invited her to visit China on their behalf.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, and AL leaders Faruk Khan, Mohammad Jamir, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman were, among others, present.