Bangladesh and China are likely to sign around 20 MoUs and make announcements on inauguration of some development projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China that begins on Monday eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud came up with the updates while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (July 07, 2024) afternoon. “Bangladesh will seek China's assistance in the areas of investment and trade; financial assistance and repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. At the same time, Bangladesh will continue to provide support to China as its friend in the global context,” he said. Hasan expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China will be successful and fruitful. At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay the visit on July 8-11 which is expected to "outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation" in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs. On the third day of the visit on July 10, the Prime Minister will meet Premier and State Council of China Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, Hasan said. A reception will be organized in honor of the Prime Minister at the beginning of the meeting. There the Prime Minister will be given a guard of honor and received with due respect. At the same place, the Prime Minister and State Council of China will hold a bilateral meeting with high-level delegations from the two countries. The MoUs are likely to be signed in presence of the two leaders and inauguration of some projects will be announced. Hasan said there is a possibility of signing MoUs on economic and banking sectors, trade and investment front, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh, disaster management and people-to-people connectivity. The meeting will be followed by a banquet in honor of the Prime Minister, he said. In the afternoon of July 10, the foreign minister said, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with President of China Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Bangladesh and China will issue a joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister, he said. Earlier on July 9, the Prime Minister will have a meeting with Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in the Shangri-La conference titled "Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China." A business delegation from Bangladesh will visit China to participate in the conference. The Prime Minister will also hold a meeting with Wang Huning, Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). She will pay her tribute to the traditional Tiananmen Square. She will also attend a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing. Read more: Unlocking China’s market: Strategies for Bangladesh to enhance exports During the Prime Minister's visit to China, Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, State Minister fort Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other high level government officials will accompany the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will leave Dhaka at 11am by Bangladesh Biman Airlines special flight and will land at Beijing International Airport at 6pm local time in China on the same day. She will leave China on July 11 in a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and land in Dhaka at 2pm. Bangladesh’s Priorities Responding to a question, Hasan said Bangladesh’s development and economic cooperation will get the priority. He said there will be no agreements but only MoUs will be signed between the two countries. Asked about various Chinese proposals, Hasan said Bangladesh accepts any proposal when it meets Bangladesh’s needs and set parameters. “Any proposal from China is of course encouraging for us but we will take decision later after verification,” he said. Responding to a question on offshore banking, the foreign minister said it is open for all and any individual or company can avail of the opportunity in Bangladesh. Read more: Bangladesh to seek $7 billion fund from China to boost trade in business summit during PM's visit “If any country wants to keep money in our central bank they can but the important issue is that with whom we are comfortable,” he added.  Responding to another question, Hasan said the renewal of the MoU between Bangladesh Awami League and Communist Party of China (CPC) may take place later, instead of during this visit. He said a high-level AL delegation led by a presidium member will go to China later when the MoU can be renewed. Hasan said there is huge trade gap between Bangladesh and China and the two countries will explore ways to export more from Bangladesh lifting non-tariff barriers. He said Bangladesh has deep relations with China and the visit will help strengthen and widen the relations. Responding to a question on Teesta, Hasan said Teesta is a joint river shared with India and they have given a proposal which is good. Breakthroughs in Pragmatic Cooperation Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said they will reach an "important consensus" and sign multiple cooperation documents and MoUs in a number of areas during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to Beijing. The areas are infrastructure, free trade agreement, and agricultural product exports to China, Southern Bangladesh’s Development, digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education and cultural exchanges. Through this visit, China said, the two sides will achieve “new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation”, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, said the Ambassador who termed the forthcoming visit a milestone in bilateral relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday said this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first visit to China since her new term began and five years after her last visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with her. The two prime ministers will attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents. "Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and on regional and international issues of mutual interest," said the Spokesperson. Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh, she said. "We have similar visions for development and well-aligned development strategies. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and jointly advanced modernization," said the Spokesperson. She said they have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries. In recent years, with the strategic guidance and commitment of leaders of our two countries, the two sides have deepened Bangladesh-China strategic cooperative partnership, and had fruitful and practical cooperation in various fields. Read more: PM Hasina’s upcoming visit to boost China-Bangladesh cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, says Ambassador "China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and elevate our bilateral relations to a new level," said the Spokesperson. The Chinese side said it stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041”.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said Bangladesh and India are likely to sign seven agreements and MoUs on water management, railway, science and technology; and information and broadcasting during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit. "We hope the visit will be very successful. It will help achieve our goals," he told reporters while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The prime minister leaves for New Delhi on Monday on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Also read: “Rohingyas a big burden on Bangladesh, India can help” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present at the media briefing. Bangladesh thinks the visit will open new "windows of cooperation" between the countries. Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling an human trafficking will get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. The visit is seen as significant amid the Ukraine crisis, global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the two South Asian neighbors seek enhanced cooperation to overcome the challenges, he said. Hasina will visit India after three years since she last visited in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The visit is significant for both Bangladesh and India, said the government of Bangladesh. The visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual trust and understanding, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Also read: “Decision to join politics is best left to Joy and people of Bangladesh” The prime minister will lead a high-level delegation which includes several ministers, advisers, state ministers, secretaries and senior officials. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, PM’s economic affairs adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque are among the delegation members. Representatives from business bodies of Bangladesh will also accompany PM Hasina. Hasina is also scheduled to attend a business event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries. The prime minister will be formally received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her. She will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. During her visit, PM Hasina will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar apart from holding bilateral consultations with her Indian counterpart Modi at the Hyderabad House. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on PM Hasina, said the Ministry of External Affairs. Hasina is also likely to visit Ajmer. The Bangladesh prime minister is also scheduled to attend a lunch to be hosted by her Indian counterpart. She will award the Mujib Scholarship, an initiative of the Bangladesh government, to the descendants of 200 Indian Armed Forces personnel who were martyred and critically injured during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. In recent years, both sides have sustained a high level of engagement, including at the highest level, MEA said. A VVIP chartered flight of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage members will depart the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 10am Monday, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim. The flight is scheduled to land at the Palam Airport, New Delhi at 12pm (BD time). Bangladesh premier will be received by State Minister for Railways and Textiles of India Darshana Vikram Jardosh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran. A red carpet will be rolled out at the airport in honour of Sheikh Hasina while a cultural team comprising 6-7 members will later perform a welcome dance and play musical instruments.   During the visit, she is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on September 6, the second day of her India visit. After holding the bilateral talks, agreements and MoUs (Memorandum of Understandings) are likely to be signed between the neighbouring countries while a press statement will be issued later.    On September 6, she is scheduled to meet family members of former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee the same day. Minister for Development of North Eastern Region of India G. Kishan Reddy and Nobel laureate Kailash Shatyarthi will separately meet her on September 7.    Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani will also pay a courtesy call on Hasina on September 5.     The prime minister is scheduled to visit Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah Sharif, Ajmer (Ajmer Sharif Dargah) in Rajasthan before returning to Dhaka on September 8 and Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi on her first day of India visit on September 5.

Bangladesh and China on Sunday signed four bilateral documents to boost cooperation between the two countries. The cooperation documents were signed after an hour-long bilateral meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel. The signed documents are certificate of hand-over and acceptance of the China-aid project of the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, MoU on the plan of special assistance of disaster prevention and reduction; cultural and tourism exchange programme between Bangladesh and China for the period from 2023 to 2027 and MoU between University of Dhaka and first Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China for Cooperation on Marine Science and Technology. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam briefed the media after the bilateral meeting. He said the Chinese Foreign Minister is pleased to see Bangladesh’s socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both sides discussed bilateral, regional and global issues in the meeting with a hope to “elevate” the relationship between the two countries to a “new level”.

Bangladesh and Kenya on Sunday signed two memoranda of understanding to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.  The two MoUs were signed on cooperation between Foreign Service Academies and Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are likely to sign four to five MoUs during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to the Gulf nation to further strengthen the bilateral relations. “This visit will play an important role in keeping the labor market intact and creating new avenues of investment in Bangladesh to strengthen the economic relations,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told the media at state guesthouse Padma on Sunday afternoon. He said Bangladesh wants to enhance trade and investment between the two countries through more collaboration. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present. Also read: Govt plans to improve life of stranded Biharis in Bangladesh:PM Before the media briefing, the foreign minister had a meeting with relevant ministers and PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman at the same venue to review the investment proposals that came from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Hasina is scheduled to leave for UAE on Monday as the two countries eye to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership with deeper political engagement. She will return home on March 12. She is going to the UAE at the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and will also attend a programme at “Expo 2020 Dubai” on March 8 marking the International Women’s Day, said the Foreign Minister. The prime minister has agreed to visit the UAE with the intention of highlighting the image of the country and its achievements in the economic sector including empowerment of women in Bangladesh, Momen said. Trade and commerce; investment, manpower and cooperation in other potential areas including renewable energy will be discussed during the visit. He said during the last financial year, about 30,000 workers from Bangladesh went to the UAE. “We hope that this number will increase in the future.” In terms of bilateral trade with the UAE, Momen said the imports and exports volume stood around US$ 2 billion but the trade deficit now stands at US$ 1.5 billion. “The main reason is that we import fuel from them. This visit will be important to increase the volume of our exports to that country. That is why the two countries will discuss ways to establish the direct shipping line,” said the foreign minister.

Walton and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to conduct joint research and bring innovation to the electronics and hi-tech products manufacturing sector. Walton Digi-Tech Industries signed an MoU with Buet while Walton Hi-Tech Industries signed another one with the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE) of the university. Read: Walton inks deal with Danby to expand footprint to North America The deals were inked in the capital Tuesday. Buet Vice-Chancellor Professor Satya Prasad Majumder and Walton Digi-Tech Chairman SM Rezaul Alam inked an MoU. Walton Hi-Tech Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Golam Murshed and RISE Director Professor Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder signed another MoU. Read: Walton offers up to 10% discount at Smartphone and Tab Expo Satya Prasad said: "Due to the lack of adequate research opportunities within the country, our students are moving out of the country. Today's industry-academy collaboration has paved the way for them to work on research and innovation at Walton." Last year, four engineering universities signed MoUs with Walton to jointly work on the research and development of domestically produced hi-tech products. Read OPPO recognizes unsung heroes of Bangladesh The universities are the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Islamic University of Technology and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

Bangladesh and the Maldives have signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas between the two countries. The MoUs are on recruitment of qualified professionals between the two countries and another on cooperation in the area of Youths and Sports Development. Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Akhter Hossain signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh side. Read: Hasina for tapping Bangladesh-Maldives’ full trade potentials Besides, an agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was also signed during the programme.  Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem signed the deal on behalf of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih witnessed the signing ceremony.

Bangladesh and the Maldives on Thursday agreed to enter into a preferential trade agreement (PTA), aiming to enhance trade and commerce between the two countries.

Dhaka and the Male on Thursday signed four instruments to enhance cooperation in different sectors, including fisheries and cultural affairs.

Bangladesh and the Maldives began bilateral talks at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Thursday.