In recent years, the economic and trade cooperation between China and Bangladesh has achieved a high level of development. China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding $23.9 billion in 2023.

　　Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to join the BRI. The implementation of a series of Belt and Road projects, especially in infrastructure construction, has injected impetus into Bangladesh's economic growth and improved the livelihood of its people.

　　Yunus said the BRI, which was proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is very important for Bangladesh, which has vast access to the ocean, because it can connect the region's landlocked nations together and jointly promote economic development.

　　The chief adviser said it is normal for “anything you do for the first time“, such as the BRI, to encounter doubts, but everyone will ultimately be comfortable with it as long as it meets the needs of the people.

　　According to Yunus, a special economic zone in Bangladesh has been established under the BRI for Chinese investors to set up their industries and sell their products more conveniently to the world.

　　“You benefit from access to our market and the global market. We benefit by having your production facilities in Bangladesh, by taking our young people to help build and work for those factories. That way, we can get the complementarity between the two countries,“ he said.

　　Deep impression

　　During the chief adviser's four-day stay in China, he held talks with Xi, who Yunus said is “an inspiring person“ he has always admired.

　　The two had previously met in China in 2009.

　　Yunus said that Xi is a wise person who is looking for ideas and looking for things to do for his people.

　　Xi can see the real problems of the people on the ground, he said.