Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah emphasized that Bangladesh is poised for “a new chapter with renewed momentum and optimism,” urging for a collaborative approach with China to create prosperity for their citizens.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Zabihullah highlighted during a program in Dhaka that historical opportunities should be seized to foster shared growth and mutual prosperity. He drew lessons from China’s rapid development, stressing the importance of long-term planning, institutional continuity, technological innovation, and investment in human capital. He noted that countries thrive not because of their natural resources but through mutual learning and shared experiences. Bangladesh, he said, has valuable insights to offer in areas like microfinance, disaster management, climate resilience, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The “Comparative Governance Forum 2026,” organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), concluded at the BIISS Auditorium. The event facilitated four days of academic exchanges and policy discussions aimed at enhancing Bangladesh-China cooperation in governance, public policy, and institutional development. Distinguished guests included Professor Zhang Ping from Fudan University and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.
Professor Zhang Ping expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by BIISS and optimism regarding the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the forum’s commencement, which is expected to pave the way for ongoing collaboration. Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman, Director General of BIISS, noted the forum’s significance in fostering academic dialogue and policy exchange between the two nations.
Zabihullah underscored the transformative potential of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, describing it as the “next frontier of governance.” He advocated for AI that supports human judgment and called for ethical, transparent, accountable, and inclusive applications. Deeper cooperation between Bangladeshi and Chinese universities and research institutions was proposed to advance AI, semiconductors, smart manufacturing, digital governance, and civil servant capacity building.
He emphasized the importance of tangible outcomes from Bangladesh-China relations, urging implementation of agreements to produce visible benefits. Evaluating international relations, he said, should focus on the tangible advantages they bring to ordinary citizens. Bangladesh and China, he stressed, have strengthened their ties across sectors such as investment, technology, and infrastructure, with China being a significant trading partner and source of foreign investment.
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s economic journey, Zabihullah attributed its development to reform-oriented policies from the 1990s but criticized the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for causing economic decline. He alleged that the regime weakened democratic institutions and mismanaged the financial sector, leading to a diminished international standing and investor confidence.
Zabihullah advocated for stronger academic engagement, highlighting the role of scholar dialogue in fostering strategic trust and peace. He called for the forum to evolve into a long-term knowledge partnership between Bangladesh and China, producing research that influences policy and governance models that improve lives.
The session concluded with certificates awarded to participants who completed the training program. The four-day event featured discussions on governance modernization, poverty alleviation, digital governance, AI, and Bangladesh-China relations, alongside field visits to infrastructure sites like the Padma Bridge and Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant to study urban environmental management.