Corporate
BIDA, LABCCI signed MoU to boost trade and investment
LABCCi: The Latin America-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to boost trade and investment between Bangladesh and Latin America.
Bida Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary) Lokman Hossain Miah attended as the chief guest at the MoU signing ceremony held at the Bida office in the capital on Wednesday (15 March).
LABCCI President Md Anwar Shawkat Afser and Bida Marketing and Communication Executive Member (Additional Secretary) Md Matiur Rahman signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
At the ceremony, the Brazilian Embassy in Dhaka Commercial Specialist Nahid Ferdousi assured that Brazil is very much interested in tying up with Bangladesh in all aspects.
Md Anwar Shawkat Afser said that a new era has been started by the MoU signing ceremony.
“LABCCI now got the affiliation from the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh, Bida. Now business societies from Latin American countries may get more confidence to invest and trade in Bangladesh through the collaboration of LABCCI,” he said.
The LABCCI president highlighted the upcoming event “Bangladesh Investment B2B (Business to Business) Event in Latin America 2023” which will be jointly organised by Bida, DBCCI and LABCCI in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Argentina and Brazil on 6-17 March 2023.
Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, Bida, Beza, Hi-Tech Park Authority and high-profile Bangladeshi and European businessmen will participate in the mega event.
Salman Fazlur Rahman, private industry and investment advisor to the prime minister, will lead the delegation in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Argentina and Brazil.
Bida Executive Chairman Lokman Hossain Miah assured full support for this delegation, saying that the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina created a friendly environment for businessmen as EPZs will provide a safe zone for foreign investors in Bangladesh.
In the last 15 years, Bangladesh’s economy has changed dramatically. People’s incomes have increased and their lives have improved. By 2027, another 3.5 million people will enter the middle class, he added.
“Bangladesh is not only a huge domestic market of 17 crore people, but with proper investment, the consumer market of about 300 crores in South Asia including India and China can be accessed from here,” said the Bida executive chairman, adding that Bangladesh is one of the top safe investment destinations in the world.
He appreciated the LABCCI board of directors for their initiative to attract FDI from the Latin America region as well as from Europe.
The Rotary Club of Sonargaon Dhaka has elected its new Board of Directors for the Rotary Year 2026–2027. Prominent banker Mohammad Sahin Uddin has been elected as President of the Club.
The newly elected 17-member Board also includes Shahidul Alam as General Secretary and Abu Shaheen as Treasurer. The Board will lead the Club and oversee its activities for the next one year.
Mohammad Sahin Uddin is a distinguished banking professional with extensive experience in the financial sector. He is actively involved in several professional and social organizations and currently serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Bankers’ Club, the Accounting Alumni Association, University of Dhaka, the Bankers’ Welfare Association, and several other organizations.
Expressing his gratitude to the members for their confidence and support, Mohammad Sahin Uddin said that he is committed to upholding Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” by strengthening the Club’s humanitarian initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare, community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. He emphasized that, with the active cooperation of all members, the Club will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact on society.
The newly elected Board reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the Club’s proud legacy while expanding its community service initiatives and promoting the ideals and values of Rotary through impactful projects over the coming year.
Journalists and media professionals have participated in a six-day international media tour in China’s southern island province of Hainan, offering participants a first-hand look at the province’s rapid transformation into a global tourism destination, a high-standard free trade port, and a model of green and sustainable development.
The international media exchange program, titled “Why China: Walking in Lingshui,” was held from June 21 to 26 with the aim of introducing Hainan’s development achievements to a global audience through the perspectives of international journalists, editors, communication experts, and digital media creators.
Rather than focusing solely on Hainan’s picturesque beaches and tropical landscapes, the program highlighted the province’s progress in free-trade-port development, ecological conservation, cultural preservation, technological innovation, medical tourism, international education, and rural revitalisation.
The event was jointly hosted by the Hainan Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center and the People’s Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County. It was jointly organised by the Hainan Branch of China News Service (Beijing) International Communication Group Co., Ltd., and the Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports Bureau of Lingshui Li Autonomous County.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, organisers noted that although many people around the world still associate Hainan primarily with beaches and tropical tourism, the island has become one of China’s most important platforms for high-level reform and opening up. They said the program was designed to allow international media representatives to witness these developments first-hand and share authentic stories about Hainan with audiences worldwide.
One of the highlights of the tour was Lingshui Li Autonomous County, located on the South China Sea coast. Widely regarded as one of Hainan’s fastest-growing coastal regions, Lingshui combines stunning natural scenery with rich ethnic heritage while emerging as a center for tourism, international education, digital technology, and the marine economy.
During the six-day program, participants visited a number of key destinations, including Boundary Island Scenic Area, Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, Haifeng International Film and Television Base, the Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, Hainan Ocean Paradise, Shuang Fanshi Marine Sports Center, the Former Site of the Qiongya Soviet Government, the Danjia Museum, Nanwan Monkey Island, Tropical Forest Expo Park, and Qiling Characteristic Village.
The delegation observed Lingshui’s pristine ecological environment, experienced the unique traditions of the Danjia fishing community, explored sites of revolutionary history, and learned about local initiatives in environmental conservation, rural revitalisation, international education, digital film and television production, coastal leisure tourism, and marine sports.
Many participating journalists said the visit had changed their perception of Hainan. They noted that beyond its reputation as a tourist destination, the province has developed into a dynamic center for free trade, technological innovation, education, healthcare, and ecological protection.
Several participants also commented that Hainan’s integrated approach—combining economic development with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation—could serve as a valuable reference for many developing countries.
The program brought together journalists, editors, communication specialists, overseas Chinese-language media representatives, and international bloggers from 12 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, including Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, the experience carries particular significance as bilateral cooperation with China continues to expand in trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges. Participants observed that Hainan’s Free Trade Port could offer new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses, students, tourists, and investors in the years ahead.
Once known primarily for its tropical beaches, Hainan is now positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, education, healthcare, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Through initiatives such as the “Why China: Walking in Lingshui” media tour, the province hopes to strengthen international understanding of its development model while sharing the story of China’s high-quality opening-up with the world.
Corporate
China Invites Youth from Bangladesh and Other Countries to Join “AI World Heritage & Zheng He Legacy” Poster Competition
Young people from Bangladesh and countries along the historic Maritime Silk Road have been invited to participate in the international creative poster design competition titled “AI World Heritage & Zheng He Legacy,” which aims to promote cultural exchange, world heritage awareness, and the enduring spirit of the famed Chinese navigator Zheng He.
Organized to commemorate the historical legacy of Zheng He and strengthen people-to-people ties among countries connected by the Maritime Silk Road, the competition encourages participants to use artificial intelligence and digital creativity to explore the relationship between world heritage sites and maritime history.
More than 600 years ago, Zheng He, a renowned Chinese explorer from Yunnan Province, led seven historic voyages across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. His journeys passed through the Strait of Malacca, crossed the Indian Ocean, and reached the eastern coast of Africa, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and friendship among diverse civilizations.
The competition is open to young people from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and other countries. Eligible participants include university students, young designers, cultural and creative professionals, and individuals engaged in heritage conservation and cultural development.
Participants are required to create posters incorporating at least one UNESCO World Heritage element from their own country. For Bangladesh, eligible heritage sites include the Sundarbans and the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur. Designers may also draw inspiration from Zheng He’s voyages and heritage sites in other countries along the Maritime Silk Road.
The organizers encourage the use of AI tools in the creative process, although traditional drawing techniques and design software may also be incorporated. Participants must submit a design statement explaining their creative inspiration, the use of AI technology, and the significance of the selected heritage elements.
The submission period will run from June 6 to July 10, 2026, followed by a judging phase from July 11 to July 25. Winning works will be showcased in online exhibitions in China, while selected offline exhibitions will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A professional jury comprising heritage experts, cultural institution leaders, university scholars, and media representatives will evaluate entries based on cultural authenticity, artistic expression, technical quality, and communication effectiveness.
The competition offers attractive prizes, including a First Prize of RMB 3,000, three Second Prizes of RMB 1,000 each, five Third Prizes of RMB 500 each, and twenty Excellence Awards. Winners will receive certificates, while Excellence Award-winning works will be featured in offline exhibitions.
Participation is free of charge, and there is no limit on the number of submissions. Entries must be submitted digitally in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format and sent to the official email address chinanewsyn@163.com.
Organizers expressed hope that the initiative will strengthen cultural dialogue among nations, enhance appreciation of world heritage, and inspire young people to use innovative technologies to tell stories of shared history and friendship across borders.
