Nazmul Ahsan

A Chinese government team is set to visit the country in December next to hold discussion with the government to finalise its future development assistance and take the Dhaka-Beijing trade relations to a new height, officials in the Economic Relations Division (ERD) said.

The Chinese team will make a preliminary assessment of five large infrastructure projects against which Dhaka sought Chinese soft loan during the last Bangladesh-China Joint Economic Commission meeting held in Beijing from July 28-29, 2009.

Lu Jianhua, Assistant Minister for Ministry of Commerce, China, will lead a seven member delegation to Bangladesh. The Chinese official delegation will arrive in Dhaka on December 10 for two-day visit, officials said.

The Chinese team will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister AMA Muhith, officials confirmed.

Bangladesh during the visit of the Chinese team, would, mainly, focus on issues such as greater access of its good to Chinese market and enhanced Chinese assistance to large development

projects.

Five large projects in which the Chinese government showed interest during the last JEC included Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory, second Padma Bridge project, Pagla Water Treatment Plant, introduction of 3G and Expansion of 2.5G Network Project and construction of Kazirtek Bridge over Arialkha River (seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge), sources said.

"China showed its interest in financing five large development and manufacturing projects in Bangladesh at a cost of about $1.70 billion during the last JEC meeting in Beijing," a top official in the ERD said.

"The ensuing visit of Chinese delegation is the follow-up of the JEC talks."