Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– China is keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh to establish a direct road and railway links between the two countries via Myanmar to strengthen economic activities. 
Visiting Governor of Yunnan province Qin Guangrong expressed his government’s desire when he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the PM’s Office in the capital Dhaka on Sunday. 
They discussed wide range of bilateral issues including expansion of trade and business and enhancing cooperation in agriculture sector between the two countries, Prime 
Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told media after the meeting. 
The governor arrived in Bangladesh on a two-day official visit at the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation extended during her visit to Kunming, capital of Yunnan, in March 2010. 
About the tri-nation 111 kilometers-long highway connecting Bangladesh-Myanmar-China, Qin said the Chinese government will extend all necessary cooperation to establish the highway.
Mentioning the business prospect between the two countries, the prime minister said her government has decided in principle to set up a Consular Office at Kunmin in China in a bid to boost bilateral trade and business in the region. 
She welcomed the Chinese leader to her office and said Bangladesh wants to enhance regional cooperation through connectivity for the mutual benefit of the people of this vast region.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina sought Chinese cooperation in establishing direct highway and railway links with China via Myanmar as well as in construction of hydroelectricity plant and exploration of gas and oil in Bangladesh. 
The prime minister also sought further cooperation in the field of agriculture, education, civil aviation, tourism, power and energy between Bangladesh and China as well as Yunnan province. 
In response, the visiting Chinese leader said the relations between Bangladesh and China have strengthened following the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 
Communication Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Principal Secretary to PM MA Karim, PM’s Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Xianyi were present.
 
BBN/SI/AD-30Aug10-1:34 am (BST)