Bangladesh seeks China’s support to reduce trade gap

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help diversify Bangladesh’s exports to China, and thereby reduce the huge trade deficit.

Tarique requested the Chinese side to import Bangladeshi mangoes, jackfruit, guava, aquatic products, raw leather, jute products and pharmaceutical ​products, according to a media pool report.

He also sought support for upgrading the existing industrial units in Bangladesh, and implementing major projects.

The Bangladeshi PM made the calls during a meeting with the Chinese president at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Following the meeting, Beijing said, China is willing to work with Bangladesh to import more high quality products from the country, and support Chinese enterprises in investing in the country.

China is also looking forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in emerging industries such as new energy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, according to a Chinese government statement.

Tarique is on a three-day trip to China, which began on Wednesday, his first visit to the ​country since he became prime minister in February.