The assurances came from visiting Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday.

The minister informed Khaleda that Chinese entrepreneurs are eager to invest in Bangladesh for expansion of their business ventures.

He also told the prime minister that he had "fruitful and constructive" meetings with Bangladesh officials on various bilateral matters of common concern.

Wu Dawei said China is now allowing duty-free access of 82 Bangladeshi items to their market and assured that the number would be increased gradually.

He said the relations between the two countries strengthened following exchange of visits at top level and expressed the hope that the next visit of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to China would be fruitful and successful like in the past.

The people and the government of China are "anxiously waiting" to receive the prime minister, he said.

Referring to the 30-year Bangladesh-China ties, Khaleda said people-to-people relationship will benefit both the countries. She also mentioned that the current year has been declared as the "year of friendship" between the two countries.

During the meeting, the prime minister mentioned the investment-friendly policy of her government and assured that more facilities would be provided for foreign investors, if necessary.

She hoped that China would import more Bangladeshi commodities and also allow duty-free access of more commodities to its market.

The visiting Chinese minister appreciated the development efforts of the present government and said the relationship between the two countries would be consolidated further.

Other bilateral and international issues of common concern also came up for discussion.

Referring to the 2008 Olympic Games to be hosted by China, We Dawei expected all cooperation from Bangladesh in making the event successful.

Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Chai Xi and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Kamal Siddiqui were present.