BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday urged China to assist Bangladesh in establishing facilities for producing raw materials for the garment sector to reduce the costs of RMG products.
“We seek your assistance in setting up the industry in Bangladesh so that we can produce raw materials for finished garment products. If we can manufacture these essential raw materials, we will be able to supply finished garments at a highly competitive price,” he said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with the Chinese Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Sun Haiyan.
The Chinese leader met a unique Bangladeshi delegation comprising leaders from eight political parties, students, scholars and journalists at the IDCPC office in Beijing.
Dr Moyeen said Bangladesh requires China's support to produce raw materials for the garment sector within its own borders. “We want to learn from you how to manufacture garment raw materials, including yarn,” he said.
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Besides, he proposed broader areas of cooperation once a new democratic government is formed in Bangladesh through a credible election.
He recalled that during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Bangladesh eight years ago, he had promised substantial economic support for the country.
“But, the previous government could only utilise 25-30 percent of the financial support promised by the Chinese President over the past eight years. We hope this financial assistance and cooperation will be revitalised in the coming months, which will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.
Dr Moyeen urged China to assist Bangladesh in developing its AI industry. “I would also like to propose setting up at least one electric vehicle production factory in Bangladesh with your cooperation.”
He also called for strengthening strategic cooperation with China, considering Bangladesh’s geopolitical location.
The BNP leader expressed his heartfelt gratitude to China for its cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in three major areas.
“The first is the China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, which was the first bridge constructed in Bangladesh over the River Buriganga with China's support. Now, there are many bridges and large infrastructures, but that bridge was the first major infrastructure built in Bangladesh with your help,” he told the meeting.
The second, he mentioned, was China’s support for Bangladesh’s garment sector. “Ziaur Rahman introduced the garment sector in Bangladesh with the concept and idea from China. After China, despite being a small country, Bangladesh is now the second-largest garment supplier in the world.”
“Lastly, Ziaur Rahman also initiated a strategic relationship with China. After the liberation war, when our armed forces were virtually destroyed, China fully supported the reconstruction of our military,” he said.
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The Bangladesh delegation, led by BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, attended the meeting.
Earlier on Tuesday, the 21-member 'unique' delegation, consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, travelled to China for an 11-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Dr Moyeen Khan said this visit will renew the ties between CPC and Bangladesh’s people and democratic political parties.
“We hope the relationship between the people and the governments of the two nations will be further strengthened in the days to come,” he said.
The BNP leader said relationship between the people of China and Bangladesh is historic. “We hope these ties will continue not just for another decade, but for thousands of years. This is my sincere wish.”
He mentioned that BNP founder Ziaur Rahman formally established Bangladesh’s diplomatic ties with China 50 years ago. “As a result, a new era of collaboration began between the two countries.”
BNP Legal Affairs Secretary Kayser Kamal, General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Shohidul Islam, General Secretary of Jubo Dal Nurul Islam Nayon, General Secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal Razib Ahsan and General Secretary of Chhatra Dal Nasir Uddin, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq, Executive Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Abul Hasan Md Shahidul Islam Rubel, National People's Party Chairman AZM Fariduzzaman, Nationalist Democratic Movement Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad Muhammad Rashed Khan, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Maulana Ataullah Amin and Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Dr Moyeen Khan’s wife, Advocate Roksana Khondker, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) researcher Md Nahian Sajjad Khan, and Dhaka University’s International Relations department Prof Lailufar Yasmin, among others, the delegation members, participated in the meeting.