"Incredible changes" have taken place in China since his first visit to the country in 1966, Bangladesh Overseas Trading Corporation President Bashirullah said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
"I have visited China 74 times. I could find some changes each time I visited," Bashirullah said.
Bashirullah started doing business with China in 1966 when Bangladesh was the east wing of Pakistan.
"I got some information from the Chinese consulate in Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh. I visited China and negotiated the import of textile machinery with some Chinese national companies on behalf of local textile companies," he said.
Bashirullah said in 1960s China was less developed with few hotels for foreigners and few taxis in the streets.
"I chose China because the products there were not only cheap but suitable for local companies," he said.
Bashirullah had business with other countries at that time. But after the reform and opening-up policy enforced by the Chinese government in 1978, he decided to give up other markets and concentrate on Chinese market.
"The reform and opening-up policy has brought me dual impact. I benefit from it because more companies in China have got the licenses for exporting, so I have more options of partnership. But the policy also attracted more Bangladeshi businessmen to do business with China either indirectly or directly," he said.
"My business expanding is affected with so many competitors entering into the market," he added.
Bashirullah visited China at least twice a year since 1978, most of them were business trip. He witnessed the tremendous economic development in China over the last 30 years.
"I was greatly impressed by the changes in China after 1978, especially after 1990s. I visited Shanghai every six months after 1995, every time I found a lot of changes which took place so fast," he said.
"It is incredible. I can't follow the speed of the changes," he added.
Comparing the differences between pre and post opening-up in China, Bashirullah said before 1978 it was difficult for the Chinese people to buy a bicycle, but after 1978 the Chinese people have become richer and richer, "It is not a difficult thing for an average-income family to afford a car now," he said.
"The big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou have become international metropolis with many skyscrapers, modern communications which were unimaginable before 1978," he added.
Bashirullah, who is also the vice president of Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association, are dedicated to improving the people's friendship between the two countries besides developing trade relations with China.
Bashirullah said he loved China as well as the Chinese people.
"My dream is to visit China 100 times to witness more changes in the great country," he said.
Source: Xinhua
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