Dhaka: Chinese support to build the Sonadia Deep Sea Port will get priority in the Prime Minister level talks during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China from June 6-11.
Besides, Bangladesh will seek Chinese assistance for implementing its six mega projects, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said at a press briefing at his office here Wednesday.
The projects are 1320MW coal-fired power plant at Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali, National ICT Information Network for Bangladesh Government Phase-3, Rajshahi WASA water treatment plant, construction of multi-lane based tunnel under the Karnafuli river, second Rail and Road bridge over Karnafuli river at Kalurghat in Chittagong, and construction of Chittagong-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu-Gundhum dual gauge rail tracks, reports BSS.
Sheikh Hasina will visit China at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and this will be her first bilateral trip to China after she assumed office in January last, Ali said.
“The main objective of the visit is to discuses with the new Chinese leadership different issues to protect Bangladesh’s interests at bilateral, regional and internationals forums, and strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries,” the foreign minister said.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque were present at the press briefing.
In the 2012-13 financial year, the foreign minister said, trade between Bangladesh and China stood at US $ 6.77 billion.
During the time, Bangladesh imported commodities worth US $ 6.3 billions while Bangladesh exported commodities worth US $ 458 million.
A 70-member business delegation would accompany the prime minister during her visit to China, he said and added that the objective of the visit was to bring down the trade gap between the two countries, as well as to increase Chinese cooperation in social and economic sectors of Bangladesh.
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