Bangladesh seeking Chinese support of technology for modernizing Bangladesh's agriculture sector to boost its output; support would include water management, rainwater harvesting, farm machinery

Nevin Barich

DHAKA, Bangladesh , September 30, 2013 (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha) – Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury today sought Chinese support of modern technology for modernizing Bangladesh's agriculture sector to boost agriculture output.

China can also support Bangladesh for water management, rainwater harvesting and farm machinery, she said adding that both the countries can also exchange researchers, scientists and share knowledge.

She was speaking at a function marking the 64th founding anniversary of China, arranged by Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal, at a city hotel.

Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad, Communist Party of Bangladesh Muzahidul Islam Selim, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun also spoke on the occasion.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, political leaders, diplomats, researchers and political analysts were, among others, also attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Dilip Barua said Bangladesh is sitting in between two emerging economic blocks -- ASEAN on the east and SAARC -- on the west and that holds immense potential for both Bangladesh and China.

He favoured railway and road links from Chittagong to Kunming saying that regional connectivity has become indispensable for strengthening trade and commerce for both of the economies.

Barua urged the Chinese envoy to woo Chinese entrepreneurs to relocate their knowledge-based industries in Bangladesh for win- win situation.

Chinese envoy Li Jun said the trade volume between China and Bangladesh reached $4.2billion this year, registering 30.2 percent growth over the period of last year.

The Chinese government has been working increasing zero- tariff treatment for Bangladesh to increase two-way trade.

"China-Bangladesh relationship would serve mutual interests, and benefit the regional as well. "China will continue to exert more efforts in pushing forward our all-dimensional bilateral cooperation," said the envoy.

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