Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday termed the newly-built "Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center" at Purbachal a "new icon” of the fruitful cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

He said it is also a vivid epitome of the friendship between the two peoples, not only in the field of economic and trade cooperation, but also in the fight against the pandemic.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the exhibition centre virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau AHM Ahsan also joined the launching ceremony.

On the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Exhibition Centre was named after him to honor the great contribution of Bangabandhu, said the Chinese envoy.

"It's the right time for China and Bangladesh to strengthen our economic and trade cooperation in broader prospects, and work together to build a better future for our two peoples," he said.

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Ambassador Jiming said it was out of concerted efforts and arduous hard work of both countries that the project was successfully completed against the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With its inauguration, I’m sure, the Exhibition Centre will help Bangladesh further  boost not only its export but also its overall social economic development," he said.

On September 21, President Xi Jinping, when delivering an important video speech at the General Debate of the 76th UN General Assembly, proposed a Global Development Initiative, said the Chinese envoy.

It mainly includes: prioritizing development, putting the people first, leaving no country and no one behind, harmony between man and nature, innovation, global development partnership, and synergy between the 2030 Agenda and all other initiatives of different countries.

"I believe the Global Development Initiative can also be the guideline for China-Bangladesh development partnership," said the Ambassador.

The door of China will only be opened wider, China is willing to share its development opportunities with Bangladesh, and China’s huge market is ready for high-quality products of Bangladesh, he said.

The Ambassador said the year 2021 is an extraordinary year for both China and Bangladesh, and is of profound significance in the development history of both countries. "This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This year also marks the golden jubilee of independence of Bangladesh."

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Accomplishing independence 50 years ago in the hands of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and now being in the hands of his eldest daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who inherited charismatic and visionary leadership from her father, Bangladesh has made remarkable achievements in economic development and social transformation with commitment and determination of the government and the people over the past decades, said the envoy.

In particular, he said, under the wise and able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh withstood various strains imposed by the pandemic since last year and has demonstrated remarkable resilience of the economy and society.

"With robust economic and trade growth, Bangladesh is surely going to graduate from the LDCs by 2026 and could be among the world’s top 25 economies by 2030," said Ambassador Jiming.

The Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and the dream of “Sonar Bangla” are well interconnected, he said.