Our trade becomes completely dependent on china: Information minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that in today’s Bangladesh context, the context of regional geopolitics and the context of global politics are mostly driven by the economy. 

He added that China is discussed all over the world today as an important centre and source of the world’s economy.

He made these remarks while speaking as a special guest at a programme organised by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association (BCFA) at the Padma Hall of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday.

The minister stated that for related reasons, our country’s economy, especially our trade, has become completely dependent on China. That is why we have a sincere interest in China, just as we have an obligation to build friendship with China in our economic and commercial context. If a country like ours has to move forward, we have to accelerate the pace of our economy much more, which our leader Tarique Rahman has repeatedly said since before coming to power. China can be our most important friend in this strategic target because China has that capability.

He further said, “China’s status is second in the FDI stock of our country. Of the trade deficit of our country, we have to bear the most deficit depending on China. Because our trade figure from China is about 20 billion dollars. Of this 20 billion dollars, we have to import almost all of it from China. We cannot export even a billion dollars from here.”

The minister also said the Chinese government has a great interest in increasing our export capacity. This is the most important strategic point of our friendship. No matter what others think about our friendship with China, this interest of China and this need of ours – this is the strategic unity point, mutual interest point of the friendship between our two countries.

Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present as the chief guest at the event while Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen was present as a special guest.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, Shimul Biswas MP, Sanjida Islam Tuli MP, among others, were present as special guests.

Advocate Nazmul Haque Nannu, President of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association and Adviser to the BNP Chairman, presided over the programme.

Diplomats, businessmen, politicians and prominent figures from various levels were present at the programme, which was organised with the aim of further strengthening mutual cooperation, trade, investment and friendly relations between Bangladesh and China.