Local government, rural development and cooperatives minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said that efforts were under way to attract China-supported development projects in Thakurgaon.
He also said that a Chinese delegation was likely to visit Bangladesh soon to explore potential industrial investment opportunities particularly in the country’s northern region.
His gave the information while addressing students and guardians as chief guest at a schoolbag and educational materials distribution event held under the Bangladesh-China Friendship Initiative at Shaheed Mohammad Ali Stadium in Thakurgaon town on the day.
Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, attending the programme as guest of honour, said that a Chinese delegation was expected to visit the district in July or August this year to explore possible areas of collaboration.
Fakhrul, also secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, also praised China for its contributions to the country’s development.
Lauding China for its development achievements, the minister said that it achieved its of current level of development through hard work and added that Chinese children studied and worked diligently, which had critically contributed to its national progress.
The Bangladesh government was working for children’s welfare by ensuring quality education and expanding opportunities for development, he said.
He mentioned initiatives, including free distribution of school uniforms and learning materials, along with training programmes to help grow competitiveness among students.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said that educational materials would be distributed annually to benefit students in Bangladesh.
He also highlighted Thakurgaon’s agricultural potential, expressing China’s interest in building cooperation in the sector.
Students from Thakurgaon would be taken on study tours to China next year, with further opportunities to strengthen friendship between the two nations, Yao Wen said.
Under the theme ‘Empowering Young Minds, Building a Bright Future’, around 6,500 students in Thakurgaon received schoolbags, notebooks, pens and other educational materials.
