Li Jun

The newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh said Monday his country will consider participating in the Padma Bridge project only when they get a formal proposal from the government.

"We will consider the matter, if Bangladesh puts forward a formal proposal to construct the Padma Bridge," Li Jun told the journalists while responding to a question at a 'meet the press' programme at the National Press Club (NPC).

Mr Li, however, said Bangladesh and the WB should first resolve their problems involving the issue.

"It is very important for Bangladesh to cooperate with the WB. The WB has made great contribution towards the country's development. I hope Bangladesh will be able to resolve their dispute with the WB."

NPC President Kamaluddin Sabuj, General Secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed, and former presidents Shawkat Mahmud and Khondker Monirul Alam, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The NPC-organised event was moderated by a senior diplomatic correspondent Zahirul Alam.

The comments of the Chinese envoy came following a stalemate over disbursement of pledged fund by the World Bank (WB) for the US$2.9 billion Padma Bridge project.

The WB's delay in loan disbursement also prompted Bangladesh to seek Malaysian assistance in constructing the bridge under public-private partnership (PPP).

On mutual trade and investment between Bangladesh and China, he said trade relation between the two countries has been gradually increasing.

"The volume of bilateral trade in the fiscal 2010-11 was US$8.2 billion. Bangladesh's export volume to China has also increased significantly."

He said the Chinese government will do its best to enhance the economic cooperation between the two countries, and continue to encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh.

Mr Li suggested the Bangladesh government to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity for improving the country's investment scenario.

"Bangladesh has a fairly good investment environment and abundance of workforce. Labour cost in this country is fairly low. If the government can further improve the investment environment, particularly by ensuring proper supply of power and gas, this country will become an ideal place for Chinese investment and industrial relocation."

The Chinese envoy said construction of the proposed deep seaport could help Bangladesh become an important economic hub in the region. The Chinese entrepreneurs are interested to participate in the seaport construction project.

On regional connectivity between Bangladesh and China through Myanmar, he said the connectivity could ensure economic growth and thus make the people of the region benefited.

"Our relationship is very good. China considers Bangladesh a very important country in South Asia. Development of the country is important for China."

Asked whether any improvement in Indo-China relationship would affect the Bangladesh-China ties, he said, "It will not do any harm to Bangladesh-China relationship. My priority is to encourage further cooperation and development of our bilateral relationship."

"I'm confident that with our joint efforts, the closer and comprehensive partnership of cooperation between China and Bangladesh will be further consolidated and developed. China-Bangladesh relationship will be brought to a new height and bring tangible benefits to the people of the two countries."

Responding to a query whether China would build dam on the river Brahmaputra, the envoy said his country is exchanging information with the neighbouring countries on ways to prevent recurrent floods.

China is also cooperating with other countries to deal with the adverse impact of climate change, Mr Li added.

Financial Express/Bangladesh/ 20th March 2012