Bangladesh has requested China to defer payments for one year against all back to back letter of credit (L/C) opened in favour of Chinese suppliers.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the request during a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said, the Chinese foreign minister responded positively to the request and assured Momen of their full support to Bangladesh.
During the conversation, Dr. Momen told his Chinese counterpart the possibility of bringing an expert team of technicians from China to support Sheikh Russel Gastro-liver Institute and Hospital, which has been declared a dedicated facility in Dhaka for coronavirus treatment.
He also discussed the possibility of accepting Chinese expert medical team to deal with the coronavirus-infected patients and to provide training to Bangladeshi medical professionals, the ministry spokesperson added.
Momen also discussed about ventilation machine import from China during this critical moment of the coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh.
Dr. Momen also requested his Chinese counterpart to help early repatriation of Rohignya to Myanmar as promised.
At this point, Foreign Minister Wang Yi felt the necessity of early repatriation and assured to extend Chinese support to that end.
The two foreign ministers also reiterated their support for each other in the international arena.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed gratitude and thanks to the Bangladesh government for its valued contribution of masks, hand sanitisers, hand gloves etc. during the critical moments of coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan city and other parts of China, said the ministry official.
In response, Dr. Momen also expressed gratitude and thanks to the government of China for their contribution of Coronavirus testing kits, personal protection equipment (PPE) and infrared thermometer.
He also mentioned the contribution of Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation.
Dr. Momen extended his sincere appreciation to the government of China for taking the utmost care of Bangladeshi students in Wuhan and other parts of China in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
He expressed Bangladesh's solidarity with the China government for observing April 4 as the national mourning day in China, the official added.
