China wants to invest in solar panels manufacturing; deepen ties with Bangladesh

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said his country wants to invest in solar panels manufacturing in Bangladesh and further deepen trade and economic ties with Bangladesh.

He made the announcement when he called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the sideline of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters on Wednesday afternoon (NY time), UNB reports. 

"If Chinese investment comes to Bangladesh for solar panels manufacturing, it will be a milestone as it's a massive investment and will help create huge jobs," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam after the meeting.

He said Bangladesh would benefit from that investment, and Bangladesh would be a major exporter of solar panels.

Alam said China wants to strengthen "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" with Bangladesh.

The Chinese foreign minister described Prof Yunus as "an old friend of the Chinese people," and he congratulated the Chief Adviser for assuming the leadership of the Interim Government.

"We have full confidence in you that you will live up to the expectations of the people," he said, adding that he would unite the country.

Wang Yi said China would attach importance to Prof Yunus's call to Chinese solar panel manufacturers to set up plants in Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser made the call when the Chinese ambassador to Dhaka paid a courtesy call to him last month.

The Chinese foreign minister said Beijing would also encourage greater cooperation and partnership between the companies of the two nations.

He said Bangladesh would also benefit from the Chinese decision to allow zero-tariff access to all goods from the Least Developed Countries.

He said the Chinese Red Cross has sent a team of doctors to treat the students and people who were grievously injured during the July-August mass uprising. Wang Yi also said China would welcome more students from Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus thanked China for the gesture. He also praised "amazing" Chinese efforts to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.

He said Chinese solar companies could invest in a bigger way in Bangladesh, which enjoys preferable market access to many rich nations.

Prof Yunus also called other Chinese manufacturers to relocate their factories to Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser stressed closer relations with China and opening "a new chapter" in the ties between the two nations.

He also called for increasing technological collaboration between the companies of both nations.

"We will love to collaborate with Chinese companies. We have a lot of scope to work together," Prof Yunus said.