Inviting Chinese investors to join hands in transforming Bangladesh at this "very strategic moment," Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called for building a future together that can "touch the sky" by exploring the extensive opportunities Bangladesh offers.


"We have to build a future together which can touch the sky. That's the potential we have together, I invite you to explore the extensive opportunities that Bangladesh offers," Yunus said while speaking at the inaugural session of the "China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade."


Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, among others, also spoke at the event.

Yunus said the engagement of Chinese investors signifies a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations and expressed hope that China will help Bangladesh undergo a similar transformation.

The chief adviser said this is a new journey that will continue to explore new horizons.

Yunus recalled that he had requested Chinese President Xi Jinping to encourage Chinese investors to engage in Bangladesh. "I am honoured that President Xi followed it up," he said.

Describing China as a master of manufacturing, he emphasized building a partnership between the two countries for mutual benefit.

Yunus noted that Bida has been restructured and that the new Bida is committed to facilitating the investment journey of Chinese investors.

Minister Wang said China is willing to help Bangladesh improve its export capacity, promote the integrated development of trade and investment, jointly maintain the multilateral trading system, and inject more stability and certainty into the world economy.

He added that China is also willing to work with Bangladesh to implement the important economic and trade consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

The Chinese minister emphasized promoting the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic partnership, and strengthening cooperation in trade, e-commerce, production and supply chains, and investment.

Minister Wang, who is visiting Bangladesh, noted that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, the two countries have always supported each other, treated each other as equals, and cooperated for mutual benefit.

Minister Wang met Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Saturday, and the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation.

Bashir said Bangladesh and China share a profound friendship, and that China is Bangladesh's most important partner.

He welcomed more Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Bangladesh and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in agriculture, manufacturing, e-commerce, and other fields to promote more balanced development of bilateral trade.

Bangladesh firmly supports free trade, upholds WTO rules, and promotes inclusive development of global trade.

After the meeting, the two sides jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Working Group on Facilitated Trade and the Memorandum of Understanding on E-Commerce Cooperation.