Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (July 10, 2024) said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ongoing official China visit has not been shortened, but she is returning home tonight to give time to her daughter Saima Wazed who is unwell. “There has been no change in her official engagements. She was supposed to stay in Beijing tonight. But she is returning to spend time with her daughter,” he told reporters. The Foreign Minister said that Saima Wazed, who is the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, was supposed to be part of the visit but she could not as she fell sick on July 8 morning. Saima Wazed is still unwell, said Hasan. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing sign 21 cooperation documents to strengthen ties on diverse fronts Bangladesh and China today signed 21 cooperation documents, mostly MoUs, eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation between the two Asian countries. The two countries also announced seven outcomes, including the conclusion of a joint feasibility study on Bangladesh-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Prime Minister Hasina will leave Beijing for Dhaka tonight, wrapping up her bilateral visit to China. A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage will depart Beijing Capital International Airport at 10 pm (local time) tonight and is scheduled to land at 1 am (Bangladesh time). The premier was earlier scheduled to leave Beijing for Dhaka on Thursday morning. During her stay in Beijing from July 8 to 10, the Bangladesh Prime Minister had a delegation level bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Li Qiang today. Prime Minister Hasina held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing announce 7 outcomes, including completion of feasibility study on FTA

Bangladeshi mobile financial service provider Nagad Ltd and Huawei Technologies have signed an agreement, which will provide world-class smart transaction experiences through Nagad. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing on Tuesday, according to a press release. Following this agreement, Nagad Digital Bank and Nagad’s existing mobile financial services will be integrated with cutting-edge global technologies. As a result, customers of the country’s first digital bank will enjoy international-standard transaction services anytime, anywhere, it said. Nagad mega campaign: 31 more winners receive attractive gifts Nagad founder and CEO Tanvir A Mishuk and President of Huawei South Asia Region and CEO of Huawei Bangladesh Pan Junfeng signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Chairman of Nagad Digital Bank Muhammad Farid Khan, were present at the time. Several ministers and senior officials of the Chinese government were also present at the event. At the time, Li Fei, Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce, praised Nagad’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economic growth and financial inclusion, said the media release. Farid Khan, Chairman of Nagad Digital Bank, said, “Nagad MFS has brought about a major revolution in Bangladesh’s financial sector over the past five years. Now is the time to take it to a global standard. Nagad and Huawei will jointly work to achieve this for Bangladesh. Nagad Digital Bank will play a unique role in this, which will significantly contribute to building a smart Bangladesh.” Proposal to expand social safety net positive: Nagad “To ensure the technological development required for a 100 percent cashless society, we have signed this agreement with the world-renowned company Huawei Technologies. Through this, our MFS and digital bank customers in Bangladesh will enjoy world-class services causing digital transactions to become more comfortable and affordable,” he also said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began her China visit on July 8. During this visit, several notable agreements and memorandums of understanding are being signed between the two countries, added the release.