Pragmatic talks underway over vaccine procurement, co-production: Li Jiming

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming on Wednesday said a "very pragmatic" discussion is going on regarding the procurement of Covid-19 vaccine doses from China to meet Bangladesh's needs.

He also said there is very "encouraging progress" between the two countries over the coproduction of vaccines.

The ambassador was addressing a virtual discussion on “Bangladesh-China Economic and Trade Relations in the aftermath of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic” jointly organised by Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) and Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI).

Commerce minister Tipu Munshi spoke at the event as the chief guest. Eminent trade economist Mohammad Abdur Razzaque presented the keynote paper at the event moderated by ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam.

Ambassador Li said China will never forget Bangladesh's solidarity with China by supplying badly needed medical supplies which was followed by support to Bangladesh as part of friendship between the two countries.

He said China will deliver second consignment of vaccine doses for Bangladesh as a gift of the Chinese government within next few days. "I hope the process will be completed by 13 June."

Just nine days after the arrival of the first batch of 500,000 doses of the gifted vaccines in Bangladesh on 12 May, China announced the provision of the second batch of gift vaccine doses to Bangladesh.

China says it fully reflects that China attaches great importance to the friendly relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Li said the two countries will continue to work in new areas of cooperation in the coming days.