Bangladesh exploring China's proposal on economic corridor: FM
'We still have not taken any position. One of the most important issues for us is reducing transportation costs through the corridor,' he says.
Bangladesh is still evaluating China's proposal to establish an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, Myanmar and China and has not yet taken any position on the initiative, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said today (27 June).
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, Khalilur said, "The government is exploring China's proposal on the corridor. We still have not taken any position."
"One of the most important issues for us is reducing transportation costs through the corridor," he added.
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China formally proposed the development of the Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 26 June.
Khalilur further said Bangladesh and China had agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to the highest level, describing the move as a major milestone in ties between the two countries.
He also said discussions on the proposed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project had progressed significantly and that a feasibility study would begin soon.
"China does not maintain the highest level of bilateral relationship with all countries. In Asia, only a handful of countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Pakistan and Indonesia, enjoy such a partnership with China. Bangladesh has now joined that group," he said.
According to the minister, the decision reflects the growing strategic importance of Bangladesh-China relations and the mutual trust between the two countries.
In response to the question regarding what tangible gains Bangladesh achieved from the China visit, the foreign minister said, "We did not go with a begging bowl. This visit was meant to set the direction of the relationship between the two countries. If this is aligned, the rest will follow in the future."
A total of 17 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing.
