Dhaka is set to appoint an economic counselor in Beijing, China soon to establish an Economic Wing there with a view to increasing economic cooperation, investment and technical assistance between the friendly countries.
The economic relations division (ERD) under the finance ministry has already prepared a proposal in this regard and it is likely to be placed at today’s meeting of the secretary committee on administrative improvement affairs. Once approved by the secretary committee, the ERD will start the process to appoint a deputy secretary-level official to the post of the economic counselor. Senior Secretary to the ERD Mohammad Mejbahuddin, in his proposal, said two more posts— office assistant cum-interpreter and driver— would be added to the wing locally for its smooth functioning.
“The economic counselor will put up Bangladesh’s position to the proposed Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank (AIIB), Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa Bank (BRICS Bank), and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar-Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC),” the senior secretary said. According to the proposal, the economic counselor will play an important role in promoting Bangladesh’s stance on the BCIM-EC.
The proposal says a total of $1880 million has been disbursed by the Chinese government to Bangladesh since 1976 in terms of loan, interest-free debt, grant and technical assistance.
The friendly country is also playing a vital role in developing the sectors of education, science, information technology, tourism, agriculture, environment, health, sports, and local government, the proposal added.
