The Bangladeshi foreign ministry said in a statement that interest rates may be reduced. In order to facilitate Bangladesh’s repayment of its foreign debt, Beijing has promised to investigate the proposal to cut the interest rate and has agreed in principle to prolong the loan repayment time.
With $7.5 billion in total loans disbursed since 1975, China is Bangladesh’s fourth-largest lender, behind the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Japan.
The “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership” was reaffirmed by China and Bangladesh during the bilateral discussions at Beijing’s Diaoyuitai State Guest House.
Trade and investment, infrastructure development, sectoral cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and development cooperation were among the many themes discussed in the discussions. Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening cooperation in fields of joint interest and taking advantage of chances for development.
Liu Jianchao, the Chinese Communist Party’s minister of the international department, met with Hossain today as well to talk about Chinese-funded development initiatives in Bangladesh.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports that Liu reiterated that China will continue to back the interim administration and a free, fair, and inclusive election as a means of achieving a peaceful transition to democracy.
LND/SBR
