Dhaka-Beijing to talk space satellite

[ Front Page ] 2010-06-14

Dhaka-Beijing to talk space satellite

China will provide 40 million RMB (5.85 million USD) as grant to Bangladesh under an economic cooperation agreement to be signed tomorrow (Monday) after formal talks between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinpeng, reports UNB. Xi will arrive tomorrow on a 2-day official visit to Bangladesh. This is for the first time a Vice President from China is visiting Bangladesh. The high profile visit takes place within less than three months of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina''s visit to Beijing. Briefing reporters at the Foreign Ministry Sunday Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said installation of Bangladesh''s planned satellite in space will be discussed at the Hasina-Xi talks among other bilateral, regional and international issues. A Chinese company recently visited Dhaka and discussed the matter with the Post and Telecommunication Minister and the State Minister for Science and ICT. Dipu Moni said the company made some proposals about the proposed satellite which are being examined. Asked about a concrete proposal from Bangladesh seeking Chinese assistance to set up a deep seaport at Sonadia in Chittagong, she said since it is a large project, it takes time to prepare the proposal. Bangladesh sought Chinese assistance regarding the deep seaport during the Prime Minister''s visit to Beijing last March. About the Kunming initiative under which a tri-nation highway connecting Chittagong and Kunming through Myanmar would be set up, the Foreign Minister said discussions are on between the two governments. Asked about the purchase of military hardware from China, Dipu Moni said since Bangladesh is a major buyer of military hardware from China, the purchase of military hardware would be discussed but there will not be any agreement during Xi''s visit. The two-way trade amounted to US$ 4.58 billion last year of which Bangladesh''s import bill was US$ 4.4 billion. Dipu Moni, who will receive the Chinese Vice-President at the airport said the government is considering his visit as ''very important'' to help strengthen cooperation in different sectors. Xi will meet President Zillur Rahman, Speaker Abdul Hamid and opposition leader Khaleda Zia. The Prime Minister will host a banquet in his honor tomorrow. The Vice President will be accompanied by Shen Yueyue, Vice Minister, Organization Department, CPC Central Committee; Chen Yuan, Chairman, China Development Bank; Zhang Zhijun, Vice Minister, Foreign Ministry; Liu Tienan, National Development and Reform Commission; Chen Jian, Vice Minister, Commerce Ministry; and Shi Zhihong, Deputy Director, Policy Research Office.Xi will leave on June 15 afternoon.