Mohammad Sharifuzzaman (Special Correspondent): Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus held several sideline meetings on the sidelines of the Boao Asia Annual Conference in Yunnan, China. Notable among these are:
— Meeting with Ding Xuexiang, Executive Vice Premier of the State Council of China: Various issues including economic cooperation between the two countries, education and cultural exchanges, and the Rohingya crisis were discussed in the meeting. Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang expressed full support for the interim government in the meeting.
— Meeting with Chen Huaiyu, Chairman of China’s Exim Bank: Discussions were held on the relocation of Chinese factories to Bangladesh. China’s Exim Bank has assured its support for infrastructure construction for sustainable social and economic growth in Bangladesh.
 — Meeting with Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Qu Dongyu assured assistance in exporting vegetables and fruits from Bangladesh to China. The Chief Advisor sought his assistance in fruit processing, vegetable preservation and packaging. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization said, ‘We will act as a matchmaker. We will establish a new network between Bangladesh and Chinese farm companies.’
— Meeting with Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia: The Chief Advisor sought the support and advice of former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon for the smooth transition to democracy in Bangladesh. In the meeting, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations praised the leadership of Professor Yunus and assured full support and cooperation to the interim government. He recalled his own experience in these Korea-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
 — Meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk: Issues of mutual interest including the operation of the Russian-funded Rooppur nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s wheat and fertilizer import plan from Russia, and Gazprom’s gas exploration work in Bangladesh were discussed. Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk assured Russia’s cooperation in the talks. He also said that Russia wants to emphasize increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Russia wants more Bangladeshi students to study in the country.
— Meeting with former Deputy Governor Wu Xiaoling alias Madam Wu: Speaking about Professor Yunus’ role in poverty alleviation through microfinance programs and social business initiatives, Madam Wu said, “Although China and Bangladesh are at different levels of poverty, the policies of the Grameen Bank established by Professor Yunus have brought valuable experience to the Chinese people and the development of the entire Asia.” Professor Zhu Sufeng, a young academician and Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University, who was present at the meeting, invited Principal Advisor Professor Yunus to Tsinghua University.
In addition, Principal Advisor Professor Yunus delivered a speech at the ‘Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025’ on March 27. Speech:
The Principal Advisor will return home on March 29 after a four-day visit.
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