BD to ask for $3 billion assistance from China

[eastwatch]

South Asian Media Net

Dhaka eyes $3b aid from Beijing
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

DHAKA: Bangladesh will seek around $3 billion in assistance from China during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's five-day visit beginning on March 17.

Sources at the Prime Minister's Office said that the assistance could be invested in infrastructure development and various power projects.

Sheikh Hasina will also focus on strengthening the bilateral relationship and reducing the existing trade imbalance with the emerging economic and military giant.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics June 2009, a $3.8 billion trade gap existed between China and Bangladesh in the fiscal year 2007-08.

The prime minister will therefore push for greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh as well as stronger regional connectivity.

Sources said Bangladesh will seek assistance in implementing several projects, including the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, setting up several power plants, constructing Chittagong-Myanmar-Kunming highway and a Bangladesh-China exhibition centre in Dhaka.

The ruling Awami League (AL) anticipates that the visit will provide significant opportunities for diplomacy and China-Bangladesh relations more generally.

"We believe the prime minister's first visit to China during her second term in office will pave the way for new ground in our relationship with China," said AL presidium member Obaidul Quader yesterday.

Quader also believes that a proactive and balanced diplomacy, like that between Washington and New Delhi, could be established by the visit.

In December last year a high-powered delegation led by AL General Secretary and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam visited China and held meetings with top ranking Chinese leaders in a bid to move forward the prime minister's agenda.

The Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Zhang Xianyi recently met with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to discuss the proposed visit.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Communication Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, as well as many top ranking officials and leaders will accompany Sheikh Hasina during the visit.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Logical Move by Bangladesh - is a great partner and peaceful nation that truely like to help its neighbours , unlike some neighbours - it actually help you ideal neighbour

 

[eastwatch]

Logical Move by Bangladesh - is a great partner and peaceful nation that truely like to help its neighbours , unlike some neighbours - it actually help you ideal neighbour

It seems even AL leadership know where the best interest of our country lies. Only a few months ago, AL Secretary General visited Peking and then the Yunnan Province near Burma. This was to influence Chinese leadership of a road connection to China via Burma if and when a deep sea-port is built near Chittagong.

I hope the visit of PM will bear fruits in terms of good relationship with China and bring in Chinese participation in our development process.

 

[TopCat]

It seems even AL leadership know where the best interest of our country lies. Only a few months ago, AL Secretary General visited Peking and then the Yunnan Province near Burma. This was to influence Chinese leadership of a road connection to China via Burma if and when a deep sea-port is built near Chittagong.

I hope the visit of PM will bear fruits in terms of good relationship with China and bring in Chinese participation in our development process.

Its a very very high profile visit with all the big ministries are attending with Hasina. She gonna spend 5 days unlike 2 and half days in India.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

China Invested $6 Billion in Sri Lanka Between 2007 & 2009, China expected to Invest $10 Billion in Sri Lanka for Next 5 Years. China Largest Investor in Sri Lanka.

Let’s see what Bangladesh gets.

 

[Al-zakir]

China is proven friend of BD and we should to what ever to hold this good friend in our side. Bangladesh must follow china friendly relation. As it seem hasina's goverment adopting a 180 Maneuver in our foregin policy.

 

[Sanchez]

BD people are heart felt friends to Chinese. So there shouldn't be problem for Chinese investments in BD. Some time ago I heard discussion on a road link through Nepal. Anyone has update news? A road link through Burma would also be fine. But Burmese is not as good friends as BD people in spite of close governmental relations.

 

[eastwatch]

BD people are heart felt friends to Chinese. So there shouldn't be problem for Chinese investments in BD. Some time ago I heard discussion on a road link through Nepal. Anyone has update news? A road link through Burma would also be fine. But Burmese is not as good friends as BD people in spite of close governmental relations.

In spite of the Burmese negative attitude to any thing that the Junta General's astrologers do not forecast, a BD-China link is convenient through Burma. It is only because to get an alternative through Nepal, both BD and China need Indian consent.

However, such a road through Nepal would bring more trade between China and India as well. Therefore, it is the best route for all the four countries concerned. By making some kind of accomodations about its border problem with China, India may allow such a trade route through its land.

However, without a Burmese link our look east policy ends in the high Himalays in the north.

 

[Honor]

It seems even AL leadership know where the best interest of our country lies. Only a few months ago, AL Secretary General visited Peking and then the Yunnan Province near Burma. This was to influence Chinese leadership of a road connection to China via Burma if and when a deep sea-port is built near Chittagong.

I hope the visit of PM will bear fruits in terms of good relationship with China and bring in Chinese participation in our development process.

I live in Singapore and i had BD gardener in our estate. He is a very nice guy and our trustworthy friend. We will exchange food during festive season.

I believe BD, China, Pakistan & Sri Lanka wil forge a good friendship in the region. We will enjoy the fruits of success together and if needed suffer the woes together.