Scholars and politicians in Bangladesh are expressing high expectations for the Bangladeshi prime minister's current official visit to China, hoping it will further strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties to benefit the country's businesses and improve people's livelihoods.
At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman is on an official visit to China from Wednesday to Friday.
It is Rahman's first visit to China since he took office in February, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
In separate interviews with China Media Group, Bangladeshi scholars and politicians said they believe the visit holds significant importance for the country's future economic development.
"[China] is one of the major development partners of Bangladesh and they have contributed to lots of projects. But we do expect China to play more significant role in other sectors as well, particularly in health, education and technology. And lots of traders, businessmen, and entrepreneurs are visiting China on regular basis over the years. We do expect that China would give some facility and some privilege to the Bangladeshi businessmen," said Ali Ahmad Mabrur, a Bangladeshi international analyst.
"China can play a very important role in the prime minister's plan for the next five years, regarding the trade, commerce and investment fields. This visit will be significant for Bangladesh to improve the fortunes of its people, right down to the grassroots level," said Al Mamun Mridha, former secretary general of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During Rahman's visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will meet or hold talks with him respectively, during which they will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and point out the direction for the development of bilateral relations, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Bangladeshi scholars, politicians pin high hope on prime minister's China visit for stronger trade ties
