Dhaka: Dhaka needs smart negotiations with Beijing as Bangladesh is witnessing a very good momentum in terms of Chinese investment, a leading economist said in Dhaka on Monday.

‘We need very smart negotiations with China so that it ends up in a win-win situation,’ said Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Professor Mustafizur Rahman.

The economist said maintaining good governance is also important as Bangladesh will be dealing with huge Chinese investment over the next five years. ‘In the next five years, we’re talking about US $ 23 billion Chinese investment.’

Professor Rahman laid emphasis on attracting Chinese investment to infrastructure development apart from FDI in economic zones.

He also talked about issues that can help get easy terms and conditions in terms of availing of Chinese financial support.

The Daily Star arranged the roundtable titled ‘Bangladesh-China Relations: Connecting the two Economies’.

Diplomats, former diplomats and experts are attending the function.

The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam opened the discussion with welcome remarks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive here on 14 October.

The visit is taking place three decades after Chinese President Li Xiannian visited Bangladesh in March 1986.