'New BD-China era dawns under BRI'

Chinese Embassy chargé d'affaires Yan Hualong has said Beijing-Dhaka relations will reach a new height and open a new era of friendly cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
"I believe that, under the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Bangladesh relations will surely reach a new height and open a new era of friendly cooperation."
Mr Hualong said this at the inauguration of 'The Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2023' at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Dhaka on Friday.
The envoy said Bangladesh had been the first country in South Asia to join the initiative.
The Chinese embassy in collaboration with the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI), and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) hosted this premium expo featuring infrastructure, ICT, textiles, trade and investment-based top companies from China and Bangladesh.
Addressing the event, Mr Hualong said the Chinese embassy was holding the exhibition to vividly demonstrate the achievements of BRI in Bangladesh, build a platform for cooperation between Chinese and Bangladeshi companies and present a gift on the upcoming 74th anniversary of China.
The exhibitors include 15 Chinese companies whose South Asian regional headquarters are in Bangladesh, nearly 20 other large Chinese companies that are deeply operating in the Bangladesh market, and several large Bangladeshi companies and banks.
Mr Hualong said economic and trade cooperation had always been an "important pillar of the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership."
Since Bangladesh joined the BRI, more and more Chinese companies had been investing in Bangladesh, he added.
Currently, there are more than 670 Chinese companies operating in Bangladesh.
These companies were an important driving force for China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation, the envoy said.
They promote more Chinese capital, Chinese technology and Chinese standards to Bangladesh, providing impetus for the upgrading of Bangladesh's industrial structure and long-term economic development.
"They are committed to promoting bilateral trade and make positive contributions to Bangladesh's import of raw materials sectors and export of finished products sector," he said.
On the journey of Bangladesh's modernisation, the diplomat said China would always be a "trustworthy neighbour, close friend and cooperative partner."
"China will continue to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations."
BIDA executive chairman Lokman Hossain Miah, EPB vice-chairman AHM Ahsan, BCCCI president Gazi Golam Murtoza and CEAB chairman Ke Changliang, among others, delivered speeches.
Counsellor Song Yang hosted the ceremony where nearly 400 representatives of Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises attended.
The exhibition will last three days until September 10.
Nearly 60 Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises, banks, government agencies use more than 120 standard booths to demonstrate the achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh.
More than 3,000 professional visitors are expected to attend the show.
Meanwhile, Huawei in a statement said it is set to unveil a diverse portfolio of advanced technologies and products, encompassing sectors like cloud technology, digital power (solar power inverters) and carrier network solutions such as 5G, 5.5G and their prospect to society and industry.
Besides, Huawei will showcase innovative solutions, including, Smart Classrooms, Smart Transportation, Smart Ports and Smart City.
Regarding Huawei's involvement in this exhibition, Jason Li, Board Member and Director Public Affairs and Communications of Huawei South Asia, said as an enabler in Bangladesh's progress in the ICT ecosystem, Huawei is going to showcase its latest breakthrough solutions in ICT in this exhibition that commits diverse industry collaborations.
"With our services and solutions in telecom network, digital power, cloud, and enterprise arena we are always there to bring digital to every person, home and organization and build a fully connected, intelligent Bangladesh."
He said the exhibition will pave the way for enhanced collaboration between Chinese and Bangladeshi partners and stakeholders, bringing all of us closer to our shared vision of maximising digitalisation.

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