China to send investors to explore Rajshahi's agriculture industry
Says Chinese ambassador during his visit
China showed interest in sending investors to Rajshahi for exploring the potential of the fertile region's agriculture sector.
In order to build a deeper tie with Bangladesh, China is also interested in assisting the infrastructural development of the city.
Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzman Liton revealed this yesterday meeting with the Chinese ambassador Zhang Zuo at his office in Rajshahi Nagar Bhaban. The ambassador was given a warm reception followed by dinner.
“The region's agricultural landscape enchanted the ambassador,” Liton told The Daily Star.
“He told me that he saw green potato fields overlapping with yellow mustard fields, creating a captivating scenario. He talked about the mango orchards and production of rice, jute, and lentil,” Liton added that the ambassador expressed his intention for inviting Chinese investors to explore the agriculture sector.
The mayor said that he reminded the ambassador of the Buddhist scholar Atish Dipankar who travelled to the region for spreading knowledge in 11th century and sought Chinese grants for educational expansion in the city.
China is already assisting in the Tk 3500 crore project for constructing a water treatment plant with Rajshahi Wasa while three investors are already working in the north-western city. The city has built a friendship with the Chinese city of Yiyang last year for sharing mutual benefits.
The mayor, however, sought the Chinese ambassador's assistance for preparing a feasibility study on the development of Rajshahi's urban transportation system and finding out whether the city needs elevated expressways and flyovers to overcome traffic problems.
“The ambassador termed Rajshahi a green, neat and clean city and said its traffic system can be developed,” the mayor said.
The mayor said he expressed to the ambassador his intention of constructing gates at three entry points of Rajshahi city as a monument of China-Bangladesh friendship.
The Chinese ambassador has been visiting Pabna, Ishwardi, Sona Mosque land port, and mango orchards in Chapainawabganj in the northern region for last three days.