Inking of deals with China

FIVE deals have been inked during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Beijing besides marking a renewal of contacts at the highest level. Ranging from the large coal-fired plant to be set up in Patuakhali to other large infrastructure projects that include the construction of a surface water treatment plant, the prospects for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries herald a new era in bilateral relations. What is of import here is that all the projects are geared towards tiding over key infrastructure weaknesses that have held back direct foreign investment for too long.
We would like to congratulate Sheikh Hasina's government on the impetus it has provided to take Sino-Bangla relations to a higher stage.
Chinese involvement in the establishing of a large power plant, upgrading existing road and rail links and other major areas like the setting up of a second oil refinery only goes to show that Bangladesh is being viewed as a country of promise in terms of investment. It also gives greater impetus to the idea of regional connectivity where Bangladesh becomes a hub between East Asia and regions to the West. The dilapidated state of infrastructure has held up the idea of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor for some years now. It should be noted, however, that for Bangladesh to transform these joint-ventures and other deals into tangibles, it will have to be more than proactive on the implementation side.
The culture of red-tape has to be dealt with decisively. The machinery of government must move faster so that we may take advantage of the goodwill and support that have been extended by the government of China.