Chinese enterprises to promote sustainable development in Bangladesh: envoy

Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh will promote sustainable development in the country and also help deepen the friendship between the two countries, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.

"We will bring citizens of the two countries closer, … and cultivate more envoys of friendship, so that the China-Bangladesh friendship will be passed on from generation to generation," he said.

The envoy said China will always stand by Bangladesh to help realise its dream of "Sonar Bangla".

The ambassador was speaking at a programme titled "China-Bangladesh Partnership—Building Strong Communities Together Report launch" held at the embassy yesterday night.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi spoke as the chief guest in the vent highlighting trade and investment cooperation between the two countries and China's support towards Bangladesh's infrastructure development.

The minister said businessmen can play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and China.

The opportunities are created by the government but it is expected that the business people will build up rapport among themselves harvesting the benefit of such cooperation, he said.

For Chinese enterprises, Ambassador Wen said, social responsibility is a well-known concept.

Over the years, he said, hundreds of Chinese enterprises operating in Bangladesh have made long-term investments in fulfilling their social responsibilities by taking actions in environmental protection, honest operation, community service, job creation, employee training, public welfare and charity, etc.

Inspired by the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh have firmly established the concept of building a community of shared future for mankind, actively implemented Global Development Initiative, helped Bangladesh tap its development potential, and shared their own development experience and achievements with their Bangladeshi counterparts, said the Chinese envoy.

"As Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, I am very proud of the contributions made by Chinese enterprises to the development of China-Bangladesh relations," he said, conveying respect and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the economic development of Bangladesh and the friendship between China and Bangladesh.

He presented the 'China-Bangladesh Ambassador Friendship Award' to six Bangladeshi friends including one Alifa Chin.

The purpose of establishing 'China-Bangladesh Ambassador Friendship Award' is to encourage more Bangladeshi youths to study hard and pursue their dreams, to encourage them to contribute to the epic story of China-Bangladesh friendship, and inspire them to devote themselves to the cooperation between the two countries, said the ambassador.

The Chinese Embassy will make arrangements for Alifa Chin and her family to visit China this year.

For the other five winners who work with Chinese enterprises, the relevant companies have made arrangements for their promotion, salary enhancement, and work after the completion of current projects.

This year, under the framework of China aid, China will provide Bangladeshis with nearly 200 opportunities to go to the country for training and participate in higher education, said Ambassador Wen.

China will also maintain and steadily increase the number of trainees every year in the future, he said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and also the 7th anniversary of Bangladesh's participation in the Initiative.

The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh is taking the lead in writing a research report regarding the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh, which comprehensively demonstrates the current situation and future development direction of China-Bangladesh friendship, said the envoy.

"We will launch the report in the near future," he said.

"We will strengthen theoretical and practical exchanges with Bangladesh on modernization, and synergize our development strategies," said the Chinese ambassador.