Bangladesh and China will sign around 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day official visit to China, according to a statement by Awami League on Monday announcing the leader's departure from Dhaka.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, it noted.
“During her stay in China, Sheikh Hasina will have separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang (on 10 July) at the Great Hall of the People," the statement announced.
On Tuesday, Hasina would participate in a trade, business and investment summit between the two countries. The same day, Hasina would also hold talks with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jin Liqun.
Besides the signing of the pacts, the two leaders are also expected to announce the inauguration of several developmental projects after a meeting between two premiers, the statement read.
Pacts on Trade, Infrastructure
Addressing a press conference on Hasina's Beijing visit on Sunday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that the new pacts would be signed in the realm of banking, trade and investment, agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management, digital economy and people-to-people ties.
Further, announcements with regards to the construction of new 'friendship bridges' in Bangladesh are also expected during the visit.
Hasina last visited Beijing for a bilateral visit in 2019.
China's economic role in Bangladesh has been expanding since Dhaka signed on to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016. The construction of BRI projects in Bangladesh gathered momentum after Xi's visit, during which both countries signed pacts in infrastructure, connectivity, river management among others.
China currently ranks as Bangladesh's top trading partner as well as its largest foreign investor, according to data from China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).