BCIM-EC to stimulate greater BD-China coop:PM

 Terming China a good development partner of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed her firm belief that the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) would stimulate greater cooperation between the two countries once it is implemented. “I firmly believe the BCIM-EC is a very encouraging development in this regard and once implemented it would bring our two countries closer, and help stimulate greater cooperation between us in all spheres of our bilateral relations,” she said. Hasina, now in Kunming as part of her six-day official tour of China, was addressing the opening ceremony of the Second China-South Asia Exposition at Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Center this afternoon. Nepalese Prime Minister Shushil Koirala, Vice Premier of the State Council of China Wang Yang, Vice President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR Somsavat Lengsavad and Saarc Secretary General Chandima Weerakkodi also spoke at the programme. On her arrival at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sheikh Hasina was received by Vice Governor of Yunnan Gao Shuxun and escorted by Vice Governor of Yunnan Li Jiang.
Hasina said Bangladesh deeply considers China as a good friend and development partner. “We laud China’s ‘Gateway Policy’ launched in 2009. Here, Yunnan has been playing a pioneering role in opening up south western China to South Asia.” She said the heavy investment in infrastructure development by China in this area indicates the leadership’s farsightedness in establishing good connectivity to facilitate rapid cooperation for development among the countries in the region. “With the policy of good connectivity among the countries in the region, Bangladesh hopes that it would accelerate our economic cooperation and overall ties with China and all our neighbouring countries,” she added. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh and Yunnan Province of China through ages were connected by the southwestern Silk Route. “Today, direct flights connect Dhaka and Kunming," according to UNB.