The government is evaluating China's proposal to establish an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, Myanmar and China but has yet to take a position on the initiative, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said on Saturday, describing lower transportation costs as one of its key potential benefits.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the outcomes of the Prime Minister's visits to Malaysia and China, the foreign minister said the proposal remained under review.
"The government is exploring China's proposal on the corridor. We still have not taken any position," he said.
"One of the most important issues for us is reducing transportation costs through the corridor," he added.
China formally proposed the Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 26.
Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh and China had agreed to elevate bilateral relations from a "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" to a "China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future" in the new era, marking what he described as the highest level of China's bilateral engagement.
"The landmark upgrade in bilateral ties reflected the growing strategic importance of Bangladesh in China's regional diplomacy," he said.
He noted that only a handful of Asian countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Pakistan and Indonesia, enjoy such a level of partnership with China, adding that Bangladesh had now joined that group.
The foreign minister said both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), covering both major infrastructure projects and people-centred development initiatives.
He said the two sides also discussed strengthening regional connectivity through multimodal transport links connecting Kunming with Bangladeshi ports, alongside the proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China Economic Corridor.
Significant progress was also made on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), with China pledging its full support and both sides agreeing to expedite the project's feasibility study.
Dr Khalilur Rahman said China had also pledged support for Bangladesh's efforts to join BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding at the political party level to strengthen political cooperation.
Referring to the Prime Minister's Malaysia visit, the foreign minister said bilateral consultations, a proposed free trade agreement, the regularisation of 8,000 undocumented Bangladeshi workers, the formation of a joint working group and the upgrading of existing memoranda of understanding were discussed with Malaysian leaders. He said Malaysia had also assured Bangladesh of its support for becoming an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner. The two sides also discussed cooperation in energy, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, electric vehicles and technology transfer. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the media briefing.
