by Xinhua writer Chen Dongshu
DHAKA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China is expected to help bring Bangladesh back onto its development trajectory through deeper bilateral cooperation, said Imtiaz Ahmed, executive director of the Center for Alternatives, Bangladesh, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Ahmed said investment should be high on the agenda for the new Bangladeshi government, as investment had declined over the past two years amid political uncertainty and instability.
"Now that we have an elected government with a mandate, I believe the new government will try to increase investment as much as possible," he said.
Apart from infrastructure, Bangladesh also expects more investment in health, education and energy, he said, noting that health and primary education are areas with strong public demand.
Ahmed said surveys conducted by his center over the past three years showed a very positive image of China in Bangladesh.
"There is strong public support for China and for Chinese investment," he said, adding that Chinese investment in infrastructure, including ports and bridges, has made a visible difference in Bangladesh.
Ahmed also noted that he has recently published a book, which focuses on both the five-decade development of Bangladesh-China ties and the long-standing civilizational links between the two peoples, adding that it is important to build on such ties.
As the world moves toward multipolarity, the Global South and Asian economies are gaining greater importance, Ahmed said.
Bangladesh, one of the world's most populous countries, can become a critical actor in strengthening cooperation among Global South countries, he added. ■