The BNP has requested China to extend repayment periods on existing loans and reconsider associated fees to boost Bangladesh’s overall economy, said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party, on Monday.
Fakhrul said this while sharing the outcomes of his party’s recent visit to China during a press conference held at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office in Dhaka this afternoon.
“We also discussed improving the investment volume and ensuring investment security during our meetings with leaders of the Chinese government,” he said.
The BNP delegation also urged China to play a role to ensure development across key sectors in Bangladesh, such as digital technology, renewable energy, healthcare, communications sector and the blue economy, he said.
The BNP delegation also discussed the country’s prevailing political situation with the Chinese leaders and in response, they said China is ready to help Bangladesh to take its democracy on the right path.
The issue of Chinese support to the last three national elections was also discussed with the top brass of the Chinese government, Fakhrul said, however, did not share any remarks of the development partner in this connection.
The BNP delegation has urged China to play an effective mediating role in persuading Myanmar to ensure safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar to Rakhine State.
“During our recent visit to China, we called for a greater and more effective Chinese role in resolving the Rohingya crisis,” he said.
Responding to the call, the Chinese authorities assured them of their sincere efforts to convince the Myanmar government to allow for a quick repatriation of the Rohingyas, he said.
China, a key development partner of Bangladesh, has expressed its eagerness to closely and effectively work with the next elected government to ensure greater progress and prosperity for the country, Fakhrul said.
The BNP delegation discussed the Teesta project with Chinese authorities, highlighting Bangladesh’s needs related to the project, to which the development partner responded positively, he said.
UNB adds: The BNP leader said their visit has opened a window to improve and strengthen the friendly relations between the two “brotherly” countries—a bond he hopes will grow stronger in the future.
On 22 June, a high-level nine-member BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, visited China for five days at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The other eight members of the BNP delegation were BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman, Chairperson’s Advisers Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, Professor Sukomal Barua, the party’s media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, and BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.
During the visit, Fakhrul said the BNP delegation held meetings with senior CPC leaders and discussed bilateral issues and ways to strengthen ties between the CPC and the BNP.
