Economy
Bangladesh, China Sign 21 Instruments, Announce 7 Projects to Strengthen Ties on Diverse Fronts
7 projects announced:
- China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement
- China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty
- Digital Connectivity project
- Double Pipe Line project
- Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant
- MoU between Shandong Agricultural University and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur.
- Luban Workshop in Bangladesh
Bangladesh and China signed 21 instruments today (10 July), including three renewed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and announced seven additional projects to elevate their relationship from a “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”
The instruments were inked in the presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Chinese counterpart Li Qiang after the delegation-level talks between the two countries at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.
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Earlier, the Bangladesh prime minister was accorded a red-carpet reception as she reached the Great Hall of the People to have a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.
On her arrival at the premises of the Great Hall of the People, the prime minister was received by the Chinese premier.
The bilateral talks mainly featured Rohingya issue, business, trade and commerce, investments, and bilateral relations alongside various regional and international matters.
After the delegation-level meeting, the Bangladesh prime minister along with her Chinese counterpart witnessed the exchange of the documents.
The instruments on cooperation in the economic and banking sector, trade and investment, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh and people to people connectivity were signed.
Among the instruments, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad signed a MoU with the China Media Group (CMG) and an Agreement with the Xinhua News Agency.
The signed instruments are:
1. The MoU on Strengthening Investment Cooperation in the Digital Economy.
2. The MoU on Banking and Insurance Regulatory between China National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) and Bangladesh Bank.
3. A Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements Export of Fresh Mangoes from Bangladesh to China.
4. The MoU on Exchange and Cooperation in the field of Economic Development Policy.
5. The MoU on Trade and Investment Cooperation.
6. The MoU on Strengthening Digital Economy Cooperation.
7. Signing of Minutes of Discussions on the Feasibility Study of the China-aid National Emergency Operation Center in Bangladesh Project.
8. Exchange the Letter on the China-aid 6th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Renovation Project.
9. Exchange the Letters on the Feasibility Study of China-aid Construction of Nateshwar Archaeological Site Park in Bangladesh Project.
10. Exchange the Letters on the China-aid 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project.
11. The MoU on Strengthening the Cooperation in Medical Care and Public Health.
12. The MoU on Strengthening the Infrastructure Cooperation.
13. The MoU on Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development.
14. Renewing the MoU on Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yaluzangbu/ Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to Bangladesh.
15. The MoU between National Radio and Television Administration and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh.
16. The MoU between the China Media Group (CMG) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
17. The MoU between the China Media Group (CMG) and BTV.
18. An Agreement between the Xinhua News Agency and BSS.
19. An Agreement between the Xinhua News Agency and BTV.
20. Renewing the MoU between the Ministry of Education of China and the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh.
21. The MoU Regarding Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Infrastructure Development.
7 announced projects are:
1. Announcement of the Conclusion of Joint Feasibility Study on China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement.
2. Announcing the commencement of negotiation on the Optimization of China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty.
3. Announcing the completion of the Modernization of Telecommunication Network for Digital Connectivity project.
4. Announcing the completion of trial run of the Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line project.
5. Announcing the commencement of Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant.
6. Signing the MoU between Shandong Agricultural University and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur.
7. Announcing the construction of Luban Workshop in Bangladesh.
The newest tranche of US funding will assist Bangladesh towards a more inclusive, equitable and democratic course for its people, the US Embassy in Dhaka said today (16 September).
According to the embassy, from 2021-2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion to help improve the lives of the Bangladeshi people.
During the US delegation’s visit yesterday (15 September), USAID signed a development agreement worth over $200 million with the interim government to support Bangladesh in advancing development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangladeshis to build a brighter and more prosperous future.
The officials discussed ways to support inclusive economic opportunities for the people of Bangladesh, ensure financial stability, and strengthen democratic governance.
The US interagency delegation held meetings with key advisers for the Bangladesh interim government, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, and Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday.
The US delegation included Department of Treasury Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, and Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.
Bangladeshi landowners are set to regain around 200 acres of land that had shifted into Indian territory due to the erosion of the Padma River along the Daulatpur border in Kushtia. This decision followed a joint agreement reached during a meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday.
The land in question, situated in the Challishpara area of Ramkrishnapur union, became disputed due to the shifting course of the Padma River and natural disasters, which disrupted boundary markers over a three-kilometer stretch. The issue was first identified in a survey earlier this year.
Lieutenant Colonel M Mahbub Murshed Rahman, commander of BGB’s 47th Battalion, confirmed the decision to resurvey the area and return the land to its rightful owners. A survey on February 10 revealed that approximately 200 acres of Bangladeshi land had ended up inside Indian territory, while 40 acres of Indian land were found in Bangladesh.
Both countries plan to officially correct the boundaries in October, following the resurvey. Sunday’s meeting, held at the Jamalpur Border Outpost, also addressed broader issues like preventing border killings and tackling drug trafficking.
Lt Col Rahman stressed that no one will be allowed to use the disputed land until the resurvey is complete. He also expressed Bangladesh’s strong opposition to recent border killings, urging the BSF to prevent the detention of innocent citizens and curb illegal cross-border activities, especially ahead of Durga Puja.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
