China considers Sonadia Island is of strategic importance; IMF imposes sixteen conditions for the possible $1 billion credit to Bangladesh; PM Hasina proposes joint tourism packages by Bangladesh and Nepal; Sri Lanka invites Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to i
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  • According to reports, China said that Bangladesh's proposed deep seaport in Sonadia Island is of strategic importance to the country and is helpful to become the regional transportation and logistic centre. “So long Bangladesh side shows enough will and determination, this project can obtain positive progress very soon,'' outgoing Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xianyi made the remarks in his pre-departure interview with UNB. During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Beijing last year, Bangladesh sought the Chinese assistance to build the deep seaport. 1
    In another development, according to reports, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed 16 conditions, including demutualisation of Dhaka and Chittagong bourses by December, for the possible $1 billion credit to Bangladesh. 2

    According to reports, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed joint tourism packages by Bangladesh and Nepal for the promotion of tourism sector in the two countries as well as in the region. The proposal came when the newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Hari Kumar Shrestha called on the prime minister at her office on January 24, 2012. 3

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka has invited Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in prospective sectors of its northern and southern parts as the two countries are going to sign a deal on trade and investment promotion. The business leaders of Sri Lanka also proposed to set up a joint training centre in Bangladesh to develop skilled professionals to handle port-related work. 4

    According to reports, Japan will provide 63 million US dollar (5.04 billion yen) for improvement of maternal, neonatal and child health programme in Bangladesh. To this effect, an exchange of notes was signed on January 25, 2012 by Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Shiro Sadoshima and Senior Secretary at the Economic Relations Division Iqbal Mahmood. The loan agreement of the project was also signed between the senior secretary and Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Dr Takao Toda. 5
    In other developments, according to reports, the Power Development Board (PDB) signed an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India to build a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Bagerhat's Rampal. A five-member team of the NTPC led by Indian Power Secretary P Uma Shankar arrived in Dhaka on January 28, 2012 to sign the agreement. The PDB and the NTPC will implement the $1.5 billion project on a 50:50 equity basis. The NTPC will set up and operate the plant. 6

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