PM seeks wider trade, investment ties with China, UAE

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding trade and investment with China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to separate press releases.

He made the remarks during separate meetings with the Chinese and UAE ambassadors at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen paid a farewell call on the PM. At the start of the meeting, the envoy congratulated the prime minister on his participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and programmes in New York.

The prime minister stressed the need to further expand trade, investment and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China, as well as cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including the Rohingya crisis.

Yao Wen said China would continue to support Bangladesh’s development efforts and expressed hope that bilateral relations would be further strengthened.

The PM also met UAE Ambassador Abdulla Ali Abdulla AlHmoudi. They discussed expanding trade and investment, increasing employment for Bangladesh’s skilled manpower, and strengthening cooperation in energy, infrastructure, aviation, ICT, railways and logistics.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury attended both meetings.