Minister seeks Chinese help in five priority projects

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain yesterday met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Boao in China and handed him a letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on matters of common interest of the two countries.
During the meeting at Sofitel Hotel, the minister sought cooperation from the Chinese government in implementing five priority projects of the new Hasina government in the communications sector, including construction of a railway from Chittagong to Gundum on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border via Cox's Bazar.
The other projects are on construction of a second Padma Bridge or Tunnel at Paturia-Doulatdia point, construction of a tunnel under the river Karnaphuli, bridge on the river Arialkhan at Kajirtek site and tunnel from Bir Shrestha Shaheed Jahangir Gate to Agargaon Rokeya Sarani in the city.
Describing the importance of the projects in the infrastructure sector of Bangladesh, Syed Abul Hossain said if implemented, these projects would not only help develop the country's economy but also “consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries”.
The Chinese prime minister assured all possible help in materialising the new government's plan to build a digital Bangladesh and its Vision 2021. He expressed gratitude and thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inquiring about his welfare and inviting him to visit Bangladesh.
Earlier on Friday, Syed Abul Hossain attended a dinner hosted by Saudi Prince and Chairman of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SBIC) Saud Bin Abdullah Bin Thenayan Al Saud at the venue and urged the government of Saudi Arabia to invest in the petrochemical sector of Bangladesh.
Syed Hossain, also the Initial Member and Chief Bangladesh Representative of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), went to China to attend the three-day Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2009 that began on April 17.