Fakhrul urges deeper China ties for economic growth

Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday called for stronger Bangladesh-China relations, saying closer cooperation in investment, technology transfer and economic development would play a crucial role in accelerating the country's industrialisation and creating employment opportunities.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association at a hotel in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar, Fakhrul said Bangladesh wanted a major economic partner like China to support its development aspirations.

"We want a power like China to be by our side. Let it be economically. We will need China's technology, we will need China's cooperation," he said.

Fakhrul said China's remarkable progress in science, technology and industrialisation offered valuable lessons for Bangladesh as it seeks to strengthen its economy and expand employment.

He said the relationship between Bangladesh and China was longstanding and acquired a new dimension during the tenure of martyred President Ziaur Rahman before being further strengthened under successive BNP governments.

Highlighting potential areas of cooperation, Fakhrul said Chinese support in technical education, agricultural product processing, renewable energy, waste-to-energy production and infrastructure development could help Bangladesh harness its large youth population by generating employment and enhancing industrial capacity.

Among others, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MPs Sanjida Islam Tuli and Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, among others, also addressed the programme, which was chaired by Bangladesh-China Friendship Association President Nazmul Haque Nannu.