China open to consortium

China is open to form a consortium with any country, including India and Bangladesh, to construct a deep-sea port at Sonadia and expects a positive outcome during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's six-day China visit beginning today, said Chinese Ambassador Li Jun yesterday.
During an interaction with The Daily Star and three other newspapers, he said an exclusive economic zone for China will also be negotiated during the visit and the joint economic commission's meeting taking place “now in Kunming”.
He said five to six agreements concerning economic and technical cooperation, disaster management, relief, flood management, planning, a 1,320MW coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali's Kalapara, a Rajshahi WASA Water treatment plant and calamity equipment are expected to be signed after the prime minister-level talks on June 9.
China Harbour Engineering Company has already contacted a Netherlands-based company which showed interest in the port project, he said, adding that the port's location is beneficial not only for Bangladesh but also for The Seven Sisters of India, Myanmar and also Southwest China. “China is restructuring its economy and Chinese companies find Bangladesh a very good destination. They want to invest here,” he said, adding that an exclusive economic zone will attract more Chinese investment.