China has expressed its interest in importing Bangladesh's prized national fish, the silver hilsa. The interest was conveyed by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, during a meeting with Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the Trade Adviser at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday. The discussion focused on expanding trade relations between the two countries and addressing trade imbalances through increased exports from Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the trade adviser emphasized that China is a key development partner and a long-standing friendly nation for Bangladesh. He highlighted the potential for strengthening bilateral relations through increased investment in various sectors, including agriculture, transportation, agricultural machinery, and healthcare. Sheikh Bashir Uddin invited Chinese enterprises to invest in these sectors, noting that such investments would benefit both nations.

He also pointed out the significant trade imbalance between Bangladesh and China. To address this issue, he urged China to increase its imports of Bangladeshi products and requested a reduction in tariffs on imported goods. The trade adviser underscored the necessity of Chinese investment in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as truck manufacturing and agricultural modernization, which he believes would yield mutual benefits.

In response, Ambassador Yao Wen stated that around 30 Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in the economic zones of Chattogram. He further mentioned that there is a substantial demand for Bangladeshi hilsa fish in China. The ambassador expressed an initial interest in importing 1,000 metric tons of hilsa, emphasizing that such exports could contribute to reducing Bangladesh’s trade deficit. Additionally, he noted that China is keen on importing other agricultural products from Bangladesh, such as mangoes, jackfruits, and guavas, and expressed interest in increasing investment in these sectors.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export) at the Ministry of Commerce. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to enhancing economic cooperation and trade between Bangladesh and China.