Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
In the bilateral meeting, he sought assistance from the Chinese Commerce Minister in the field of drone technology in the agricultural sector. He expressed his hope that this assistance will play an effective role in strengthening trade and technical cooperation between the two countries.
In a meeting with a delegation led by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka on Saturday (31 May 2025) afternoon, Sheikh Bashiruddin highlighted the importance of increasing the use of drone technology in the development of agriculture in Bangladesh.
He said, “Drone technology can revolutionize fertilizer, seed sowing, pesticide spraying and crop monitoring. China’s experience and technology can play an important role in the agricultural sector of Bangladesh.”
The Chinese Commerce Minister expressed his interest in increasing technology and investment cooperation with Bangladesh. He said, “China is ready to help Bangladesh in agriculture and digital technology. We can cooperate to increase productivity, especially through smart agriculture and drone technology.”
The trade advisor said, although Bangladesh has a vast sea border, the full potential of this sector is not being utilized due to the lack of modern fishing vessels and technology. If the opportunities for deep-sea fishing and processing are increased with China’s help, export earnings will increase and employment will be created.
Seeking assistance for fishing vessels and technology, Sheikh Bashiruddin said, Bangladesh needs state-of-the-art fishing vessels and fish processing technology to develop the marine fisheries sector. China’s experience and technical assistance can further strengthen our sector.”
Bangladesh is now at a demographic advantage. Labor is available here at a relatively affordable price. The workers here are skilled and experienced, so they can work quickly and well, the trade advisor said, “Come invest in this country and help in the economic development of both countries.” At the same time, he expected Chinese investment in the leather industry, light engineering, agri-machinery and agro-technology, food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
The Chinese Commerce Minister expressed his interest in increasing cooperation with Bangladesh in the fisheries and marine resources sector. He said, “China is ready to provide necessary assistance in the fisheries sector and exploitation of maritime resources of Bangladesh.”
The Chinese Commerce Minister said that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China has already passed. Noting that trade between the two countries is constantly increasing, he said that the Chinese government has implemented several projects for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, especially for the improvement of the living standards of the people of this country – the benefits of which are being enjoyed by the people of this country.
The meeting also discussed ways to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and technology. It was hoped that China-Bangladesh economic relations would deepen further in the coming days.
The meeting was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Director General of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and the Bangladesh delegation, including Commerce Secretary, Industry Secretary, Agriculture Secretary and Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission.
Two MoUs were signed between the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Commerce of China on the formation of a joint working group to promote free trade and cooperation in e-commerce. The MoUs were signed by Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin on behalf of Bangladesh and by the Minister of Commerce of that country Wang Wentao on behalf of China.
It is worth noting that Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao arrived in Dhaka on May 31 at noon on a three-day visit with a delegation of businessmen and investors.
