The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Beijing

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said his caretaker government is almost at end of achieving its goal of holding a free, fair and credible general election within December this year, as the prerequisites are already in place.

"We hope and believe that election will be held by December this year," the head of the caretaker government told his audience at a reception hosted in his honor at Bangladesh House (Bangladesh Embassy) in the Chinese capital.

Bangladeshi students, businessmen, experts of different professions living, working and studying in China, officials of the embassy as well as Chinese elite were present at the function.

The CA said the Election Commission had already completed the voter list with photographs of more than 80 million voters. "Such gigantic task in a short time is a remarkable achievement," he said, adding that he does not know whether any other country has done such a task in such a short time.

On economy, Dr Fakhruddin said the economy has had difficult times in last several months for the rise in prices of petroleum products and food on the international market. "We have really overcome the situation."

Referring to the meeting on Sunday of Bangladesh Better Business Forum (BBBF) in Dhaka to mark its first founding anniversary, he said the forum was formed last year to forge a strong public-private partnership. "We have made some progress in this sector," he told the function.

He said private sector is the engine of growth and government is the facilitator.

Despite a difficult situation on the economic front last year, he said, "we have done well".

Mentioning China's economic boom, he said China remains as an example to Bangladesh. Economic relations with China are also very strong and growing day by day, he noted. Many Chinese businessmen are investing in Bangladesh.

He urged the Bangladeshi students studying in China to learn what China was able to do for its economy and its people and hoped that the students, after completing their studies, would be able to contribute to socioeconomic progress in Bangladesh.

Referring to the existing excellent relationship between Bangladesh and China, he said the strong bond of friendship between the two countries dates back in history. The roots are very firmly rooted as well as diplomatic relations exist for more than 30 years.

He hoped the bond of friendship between Bangladesh and China would become stronger.

He pointed out that Bangladesh and China cooperate with each other in various international fora.

"China is an important development partner of Bangladesh and invested in many sectors, particularly in infrastructure," Dr Fakhruddin said.

The Bangladeshi community in China welcomed the Chief Adviser and the CA exchanged pleasantries with them. Many of them took photos with him.

Chief Adviser's wife, Neena Ahmed, was also present at the reception.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Zheng Qingdian, Secretary of CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam, CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim and Bangladesh Ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed were also present at the function.

The Chief Adviser arrived in Beijing on Monday noon for a four-day working visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.

He is scheduled to have official talks with Prime Minister of China Wen Jiabao and call on President Hu Jintao today.

The CA is also scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of Paralympics Beijing 2008 tomorrow.