Dhaka, Beijing to expand bilateral trade

Bangladesh and China have decided to establish a “Closer Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation” from the strategic perspective and on the basis of the principles of longstanding friendship, equality, and mutual benefit.
A joint statement, issued yesterday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, said the leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views and reached agreement on newer directions for taking China-Bangladesh relations forward.
The joint statement said the two sides agreed to take active measures to expand bilateral trade and ease trade imbalance. The Chinese side will provide preferential tariff treatment to more Bangladeshi products and continue to boost bilateral investment and trade activities.
The Bangladesh side will encourage Bangladeshi enterprises to actively participate in the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and other commodity fairs in China to boost Bangladesh's exports to China.
The Chinese side expressed its commitment to continue to offer assistance to Bangladesh in support of the economic and social development.
The two sides signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, the Framework Agreement on Providing Preferential Loan, the Protocol on Remitting the Bangladesh Interest-free Loan due 2008 and the Exchange of Letters on the Construction of the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge at Kajirtek.
They agreed to intensify efforts for the early start of such further projects as the eighth Friendship Bridge (second Meghna Bridge) and the construction of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre to be undertaken by China.
The two sides agreed to encourage and support their own enterprises to carry out two-way investment and mutually beneficial cooperation, and provide facilitation for enterprises of both sides in project contracting and labour service cooperation.
The two prime ministers noted that October 4, 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China. They agreed to hold various commemorative activities in Beijing and Dhaka, and take this opportunity to promote and further develop the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
The two sides agreed to continue to exchange high-level visits, intensify friendly exchanges between government agencies, parliaments, political parties, armed forces, and non-governmental groups of the two countries; promote cooperation at the local government level, and enhance the cooperation mechanisms, including diplomatic consultations, the Joint Economic and Trade Committee and the Joint Agriculture Committee.
The Bangladesh side welcomed the active involvement of Chinese enterprises in the energy, communication, transportation, industry and infrastructure sectors in Bangladesh.
The Chinese side would encourage and support capable and reputable Chinese enterprises to explore and carry out investment cooperation in the above-mentioned fields in Bangladesh, and to provide possible facilitation and financing support for mutually agreed cooperation projects.
The two sides agreed to enhance transport links and, to continue to discuss the possibility of building road and rail links between the two countries.
The two sides, based on the MoU on Agriculture Cooperation signed in 2005, will actively carry out cooperation in hybrid rice cultivation technology, including hybrid rice seed production technology, agricultural machinery technology, exchange of germ plasm resources of crops, farm products processing and technical personnel training.
The two sides will enhance exchanges between technical and managerial personnel of agriculture, and further explore specific ways and means of expanding agricultural cooperation.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on water resources management, hydrological data sharing, on flood control and disaster reduction, based on the exchange of letters between the ministries of water resources of the two countries in 2005.
At the request of the Bangladesh side, the Chinese side agreed to provide assistance for dredging of riverbeds and for capacity building through training of personnel.
The two sides discussed the need for regular exchange of information and consultation on the use of the water resources of river Yarluzangbu/Brahmaputra to ensure sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in this regard.
The two sides also agreed to examine, in near future, the possibility of setting up an institutional mechanism for such consultations involving all co-riparian countries.
The Bangladesh side expressed its desire to launch a communication and remote sensing satellite in orbit in the near future. The Chinese side expressed interest to provide necessary assistance to Bangladesh in this field.
In commemorating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two sides agreed to further widen people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges and cooperation to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association will jointly host the China-Bangladesh Friendship and Brightness (Ophthalmic) Trip.
A team of Chinese medical experts will visit Bangladesh to offer free medical treatment to the Bangladeshi cataract patients.
The Chinese side will continue to provide government scholarships to Bangladesh and welcome Bangladeshi students to China for study under other programs and through other channels.
At the request of the Bangladesh side, the Chinese side agreed to consider increasing the number of scholarships offered by the Chinese government for Bangladeshi students from 80 to 150 within the next three years.
The two sides will strengthen exchange and cooperation for capacity building in Chinese language and human resources.
At the request of the Bangladesh side, the Chinese side also agreed to consider offering special scholarships for two young Bangladeshi diplomats to undertake a 2-year Masters Degree course at the Foreign Affairs University of China.
The two sides will actively expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, press, health, sports and tourism and promote contacts between media organisations, think tanks, scholars, friendship groups, women's groups, cultural troupes, athletes and youths.
The two sides agreed to consider negotiating and signing a bilateral consular agreement and will conduct consultations in this regard through diplomatic channels.
The two sides also agreed to set up a bilateral consular consultation mechanism at an appropriate time to jointly discuss visa and other issues of mutual concern. They also agreed to explore measures for easing visa procedures for the genuine businesspersons and tourists.
The two sides agreed to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the militaries and law enforcement departments at various levels and in various fields to safeguard respective national security and stability and promote peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese side reiterated its respect for Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and its support for the efforts of Bangladesh to uphold national stability and promote social development.
The Bangladesh side reiterated its support for the 'One China Policy' that the Chinese government is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of the Chinese territory.
The Bangladesh side also reiterated its support for China's efforts in upholding sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination in regional cooperation. The Chinese side expressed appreciation for the active efforts made by Bangladesh to promote South Asian regional cooperation.
The Bangladesh side expressed support for Chinese efforts to enhance cooperation with the Saarc community. The two sides agreed to actively participate in and promote the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) regional economic cooperation process.
The two sides recognised the commonalities and shared perceptions of the two states in international and regional affairs, including the global financial crisis, climate change, energy and food security as well as issues relating to the aspirations and challenges of developing countries.
The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination and cooperation to uphold the common interests of the two countries as well as that of the developing countries in general.
The two sides also agreed to hold consultations on climate change at an appropriate time within this year. China will support Bangladesh in enhancing its capability to tackle climate change challenges.