Bangladesh has quality to become leading economy: Chinese envoy

Bangladesh has all the potential to become one of the leading economies in the world and China wants to support it in every possible way, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang said yesterday.

The envoy said the change he has seen on development front in Bangladesh is the sign of a booming economy.

Terming Bangladesh a time-tested friend, he said they just want to see a developed Bangladesh as China believes a well-developed Bangladesh will be an asset for China.

He spoke at a workshop on China-Bangladesh cooperation on human resources development, at a hotel in Dhaka.

The Chinese envoy said Bangladesh has a huge potential market, huge labour force and very strategic geo-location in between three major economies -- India, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.

So, finance, capital and technology will come into Bangladesh, he said.

He appreciated the government's efforts to set up 100 economic zones in the country and said more Chinese investor will come here through the initiative.

Ma said it is very important to have qualified skilled workforce for development. “Human resource is the core element of development. We wish to share our experience and technology without any reservation.”

Citing an example, the ambassador said China sent 50,000 mid-level officials to Singapore to develop expertise.

China wants to carry out more functional cooperation with Bangladesh in the coming days, he said.

Chinese Embassy Commercial Counsellor Li Guangjun said Bangladesh and China have a lot of work to do in the coming days to boost bilateral relation.

Officials from the Prime Minister's Office, industries ministry and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority shared their experience acquired through their participation in programmes held in China.