Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Commerce Advisor to the interim government, has sought assistance from Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao for drone technology in the agriculture sector. He expressed hope that this assistance would play an effective role in strengthening trade and technological cooperation between the two countries.
The Chinese Commerce Minister arrived in Dhaka yesterday, Saturday afternoon, for a three-day visit, leading a delegation of businesspeople and investors. During a bilateral meeting with him at a hotel in the capital in the afternoon, Sheikh Bashir Uddin highlighted the importance of increasing the use of drone technology for the development of Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
The Advisor said, “It is possible to revolutionize fertilizer application, seed sowing, pesticide spraying, and crop monitoring through drone technology. China’s experience and technology can play a significant role in Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.”
Expressing interest in increasing technological and investment cooperation with Bangladesh, the Chinese Commerce Minister stated, “China is prepared to assist Bangladesh in agricultural and digital technologies. We can particularly cooperate in enhancing productivity through smart agriculture and drone technology.”
Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin mentioned in the meeting that despite Bangladesh’s vast maritime boundary, the country is unable to fully utilize its potential in marine fisheries due to a lack of modern fishing vessels and technology. He said that if opportunities for deep-sea fishing and processing increase with China’s help, export earnings will rise, and employment will be created.
During the meeting, Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin called for increased Chinese cooperation in Bangladesh’s fisheries and marine resources sector. At this time, he also expressed expectations for Chinese investment in the leather goods industry, light engineering, agro-related machinery and technology, food processing, and the pharmaceutical industry. The Chinese Commerce Minister also showed interest in these sectors of Bangladesh.
Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at the meeting between the commerce ministries of the two countries: one on forming a Joint Working Group for the promotion of free trade and another regarding cooperation on e-commerce. Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin signed on behalf of Bangladesh, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao signed on behalf of China.
Present at the meeting from the Chinese delegation were the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, the Director General of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of China, and the Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of China. The Bangladesh delegation included the Commerce Secretary, Industries Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, and the Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, among others.
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