Bangladesh Industries Minister Dilip Barua recently sought cooperation of China in oil-gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal.

The minister, currently on an official visit in China, sought the cooperation in a meeting with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Dr Li Jin Zhao, at his office.

He also called for Chinese assistance in Padma Bridge construction, deep-sea port building and establishing road communication with Kunming.

Dilip Barua thanked the Chinese authorities for their assistance in different projects in Bangladesh and drew their attention to complete the project for setting up water refinery plant in Pagla near Dhaka soon.

He said Bangladesh believes in 'One China Policy' and considers Tibet and Taiwan parts of China.

He called for Chinese investments in potential industrial sectors in Bangladesh and pointed out that both the countries could be benefited by relocated labour intensive and modern technology-based industrial units to Bangladesh from China.

The industries minister appreciated China for allowing duty-free access for 4,729 Bangladeshi products and sought cooperation to hold a single country trade fair of Bangladeshi goods in China.

The Chinese vice minister appreciated sustainable socio-economic development in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said Bangladesh is a tested development partner of China and assured continued cooperation in industrialization, infrastructure development, natural resource extraction, regional connectivity and overall socio-economic development.

Bangladesh Ambassador to China Munshi Fayez Ahmed, members of minister's entourage -- BCIC Chairman Golam Rabbani and Industries Ministry Joint Secretary M Khalilur Rahman Siddiqui were present, among others, in the meeting.

(Defence,Jun 18,2012)