The government has welcomed China's proposal for a China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor (CMBC) but will make a final decision only after assessing its potential benefits and challenges, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said on Wednesday.
"We are assessing the Chinese proposals, including the economic corridor, put forward during the Chief Adviser's recent visit. We have welcomed the proposal and, personally, I believe it will help expand our trade," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Describing the proposed corridor as a connectivity initiative, she said improved communication would facilitate trade and regional commerce.
"If the proposal improves connectivity, our trade will expand significantly. The concerned ministries will assess its implications, including any challenges, before the government takes a final decision," she said.
Asked whether the government would consider the reaction of any third country while evaluating the Chinese proposals, Shama said Bangladesh's foreign policy would continue to be guided solely by national interests.
"Since the beginning of this government, we have maintained that Bangladesh's foreign policy will be determined by the national interest and the aspirations of its people. If these proposals benefit Bangladesh and its people, we will certainly consider them," she said.
"Bangladesh enjoys unique relations with every country. We do not believe that strengthening ties with one country will undermine our relations with another. Our objective is to safeguard our national interest while maintaining good relations with all countries," she added.
On the Teesta project, the state minister said China would provide technical support for preparing a comprehensive feasibility study.
"There were earlier initiatives, but no complete feasibility study was conducted. Apart from Teesta, China has also expressed interest in supporting river management projects involving other rivers," she said.
Shama said the Chief Adviser's recent visit to China had further strengthened bilateral relations and was expected to encourage greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
"We have long enjoyed excellent relations with China, which has been a key partner in our socio-economic development. We expect Chinese investment to increase substantially following this visit," she said.
Replying to a question on the government's efforts to recover laundered money, the state minister said Bangladesh was in discussions with several countries where funds had allegedly been siphoned off during the previous regime.
"It is a lengthy process involving established legal mechanisms. However, we have already initiated discussions with those countries and have made progress by signing agreements with some of them," she said.
On the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, Shama said there was no new development.
"The matter remains under process. We are pursuing it through the appropriate channels," she said.
Responding to another question, she said Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Md Hafiz Uddin would represent Bangladesh at the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader.
"Bangladesh has long maintained good bilateral relations with Iran. We have accepted their invitation to attend the funeral," she said.
Asked whether leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and other political parties would also attend, the state minister said they might join the event in their individual capacities but would not be part of the official government delegation.
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