China has reached an agreement with Bangladesh to provide 100 million yuan (US$13.2 million) in economic assistance.  According to documents signed on Sunday, 80 million yuan (US$10.5 million) will be earmarked as non-reimbursable assistance and the remainder as an interest-free loan.

The agreements on Economic and Technical Cooperation were signed by visiting Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce Wang Chao and Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the finance ministry of Bangladesh, on behalf of their respective governments.

The Chinese assistant minister and secretary of ERD discussed issues related to bilateral economic relations and trade before the signing.

Wang said China is focused on its relationship with Bangladesh and will continue to help developing countries within its power, even though China is a developing country itself.

Under the agreements, a Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center will be constructed in the capital of Dhaka.

China has already assisted Bangladesh in building a Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka as well as six friendship bridges throughout the country since the 1980s. These landmarks, which are well known in Bangladesh, have become symbols of friendship between the two countries.

A Chinese economic and trade delegation led by Wang Chao arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for a three-day visit after leaving Pakistan. They will depart for Nepal on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2007)