Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter said that cooperation with China was essential for economic transformation.
鈥楽ocial and economic development will be possible by increasing the competitiveness of Bangladesh and China,鈥� she said while addressing Dhaka-China Day 2025 at North South University on Thursday, said a press release on Friday.
Farida said that the chief adviser had visited China on March 26 last and signed agreements and memorandums of understanding on economic and technical cooperation. 鈥楾hese agreements and MoUs will strengthen cooperation in multifaceted areas including culture, media, sports and health.鈥�
She said that the cooperation was especially important for the younger generation, as they constituted more than half of the country鈥檚 population and were the main drivers of change.
Highlighting the context of the ministry, the adviser said that with the combined efforts of Bangladeshi fishermen, workers, traders, importers, exporters, researchers and scientists, the country was then almost self-sufficient in fish, meat and egg production.
鈥楩ish and fish products are not only meeting domestic demand, but are also being exported to different countries of the world,鈥� she said.
She said that China had been a reliable trading partner of Bangladesh for a long time and the relationship was getting stronger day by day.
鈥業n future, Bangladesh-China cooperation can open new horizons in the fisheries and livestock sector. This cooperation will create broad prospects for investment in aquaculture technology development, modern methods of increasing production, climate-tolerant animal housing, disease control, antimicrobial resistance systems, modernization of fish landing and processing centres, dried fish and value-added industries. This will further strengthen the country鈥檚 food security and economic growth,鈥� she added.
Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that the Dhaka-China Day event was a reflection of the close relationship between China and Bangladesh.
鈥楾hrough various activities, the special features of Chinese culture are being highlighted among the general public, including young students, which will build a deep understanding and bond between the people of China and Bangladesh,鈥� he added.
He said that the relations between Bangladesh and China were then at a historic juncture. China and Bangladesh were moving forward hand in hand in development cooperation and other sectors.
Benazir Ahmed, founding life member and board of trustees member of NSU Trust, among others, addressed the discussion with NSU vice-chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury in the chair.
Diplomats, academicians, researchers, businessmen and students from Bangladesh and China were present at the event.