Beijing wants Bangladeshi skilled workers for Chinese projects worldwide

China wants Bangladesh to develop a pool of skilled workers proficient in Chinese so they can secure jobs not only in Chinese companies operating in Bangladesh but also in projects being implemented by Chinese firms around the world.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen made the remarks on Tuesday at a validation workshop on the competency standard and course accreditation document for Chinese language, developed by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA).

“Our desire is, after their training in Bangladesh, they can also work in other countries, in other countries’ projects conducted by Chinese companies,” Yao said.

He said the Chinese language should be combined with vocational and technical training to prepare Bangladeshi youth for better employment opportunities as Chinese investment and economic engagement with Bangladesh continue to expand.

The ambassador said China had remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for the past 16 years and had cumulatively created more than 250,000 jobs in Bangladesh. More than 400,000 people travel between China and Bangladesh each year, while more than 100,000 Bangladeshis are learning Chinese, he said.

Yao said the growing economic relationship had created strong demand for Bangladeshi professionals and workers with Chinese language skills.

He welcomed the NSDA’s initiative to develop a competency-based Chinese language curriculum, saying Chinese language proficiency could become an important tool for employment, trade, industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.