DHAKA, Oct 24 (NNN-BSS) – The Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC), symbolising China’s friendship with Bangladesh, opened in Purbachal, on the outskirts of the capital city of Dhaka.
The construction of the international exhibition centre, a project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, has been completed despite the impact of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina opened the eye-catching exhibition centre virtually, from her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Bangladeshi premier said, with this exhibition centre, it will be possible to organise export fairs and sourcing fairs round the year, to explore more international markets for Bangladeshi products.
She thanked China for the financial and technical assistance in the construction of the exhibition centre.
In his speech as the special guest, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming said, the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and the dream of “Sonar (golden) Bangla” are well interconnected.
Concerted efforts and arduous hard work from both countries ensured the exhibition centre project is successfully completed, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“With its inauguration, I am sure that the exhibition centre will help Bangladesh further boost not only its exports but also its overall social economic development.”
Bangladeshi officials said, the 26th version of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), the biggest annual event in Bangladesh, will kick off at the mega new permanent venue.
At the outset of the ceremony, a documentary on the development of BBCFEC was screened. BBCFEC, funded by China, was built by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). The Beijing Institute of Architectural Design formulated an eye-catching design for the centre, which covers 80,000 square metres of land.
The on-site construction included exhibition halls, garages, supporting plant rooms and other facilities.
The exhibition centre has two exhibition halls comprising 400 exhibition booths each, one 600-square-metre multifunctional hall, one dining room that can seat 500 people, offices, a prayer room, a staff dormitory, a children’s activity area and related auxiliary rooms.
The main body of the exhibition centre boasts a red ceramic panel exterior curtain wall and an aluminum gray wavy roof, which symbolises the ship of friendship between China and Bangladesh.– NNN-BSS
