DHAKA:  Terming China as a great friend and a trade partner of Bangladesh, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said that Bangladesh is poised to make all endeavors to further cement its ties with China in every possible sphere.

She attended Third China-South Asia Expo and 23rd Kunming Import and Export in Yunnan province’s capital Kunming of China.

Bangladesh speaker was present as special guest of the fair
which inaugurated by Vice president of China Li Yuanchao in Kunming on Friday.

Shirin Sharmin mentioned that the annual event had become an effective tool for stimulating commodity trading, trade in services as well as investment and tourism cooperation, and cultural exchanges between China and South Asian countries.

She said, “The objective of the China- South Asia Exposition is to strengthen trade relations between China and South Asian countries and to provide a platform to China and South Asian countries to expand economic and commercial exchanges with other countries and regions.”

All the eight countries of SAARC are participating in the events. The President of Maldives, Prime Minister Laos, and Deputy Prime Minster of Vietnam are leading their respective delegations.

This year a good number of exhibitors from Bangladesh are taking part in the Expo. This event is expected to attract more than 20,000 merchants from South Asia and South East Asian countries.

A total of 3,179 enterprises from 75 countries are in Kunming to participate in the event.

Later on the same day, the Speaker had separate meetings with the Vice President of China Mr. Li Yuanchao and Li Jiheng, Party Secretary of Yunnan Provincial Committee and Chairman of Yunnan Provincial People's Congress.

The Chinese Vice President mentioned that China wants the two sides to enhance cooperation in investment, industrial capacity and infrastructure construction and have more communication among political parties, officials and think tanks. 

However, both the leaders expressed hope that the ties between the two nations would be even stronger in the days ahead.

BDST: 1700 HRS, JUNE 14, 2015
BD/RS/SMS