Bangladesh Chief Adviser Appeals for Financial Flexibility in China Talks

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, appeals for reduced interest rates and waived fees on Chinese loans in a meeting with China's Executive Vice Premier, Ding Xuexiang, at the Boao Forum. Seeking support for Bangladesh's developments and cooperation in various sectors, Yunus emphasizes economic partnership ahead of meeting President Xi Jinping.

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, is advocating for more favorable financial conditions from China, urging reduced interest rates and fee waivers for loans in his meeting with China's Executive Vice Premier, Ding Xuexiang. The request, made on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, highlights Yunus's push for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Yunus aims to lower Chinese loan interest rates from three percent to 1-2 percent and seeks exemptions from commitment fees, Bangladesh media reports indicate. These negotiations come as China ranks as Bangladesh's fourth-largest lender following Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, with USD 7.5 billion in loans since 1975.

In addition to financial discussions, Yunus is also seeking China's assistance in relocating Chinese manufacturing sectors to Bangladesh. Meetings on the forum's sidelines included talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk on increasing wheat and fertilizer exports and discussions with Ban Ki-moon on democratic transitions in Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies.)