Govt urges China to help develop skilled workforce, ensure social protection

Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has expressed hope for Chinese cooperation in developing Bangladesh’s large population—particularly those living in marginal communities—into a skilled workforce and creating employment opportunities to strengthen social protection.

The expectations were raised during  a courtesy meeting between the minister and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, said a press release.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin and Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf was also present during the discussion

The meeting took place at the minister’s office, where a three-member Chinese delegation accompanied the ambassador.

During the meeting, Zahid described China as a long-standing and trusted friend of Bangladesh in terms of development cooperation, strategic partnership, and mutual respect. He noted China’s technological advancement, particularly its global success in smart card technology.

Highlighting one of the current government’s key electoral commitments, the minister spoke about the implementation of the Family Card programme, describing it as a database-driven digital social protection platform. He said the initiative is designed to strengthen family-based social security by supporting education, healthcare, nutrition security, poverty reduction, and women’s empowerment among Bangladesh’s large population.

The minister also said China’s experience could be valuable in helping Bangladesh develop the Family Card programme into a transparent, technology-driven social protection system.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Yao Wen greeted the minister and state minister with flowers and congratulated them. He praised the Family Card initiative, noting that it has already gained popularity among low-income communities in Bangladesh.

The ambassador said China is interested in further strengthening its friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh not only in infrastructure development but also in the social protection sector. He expressed China’s interest in supporting education, healthcare, and poverty reduction initiatives to help improve the livelihoods of people at the grassroots level and promote sustainable self-reliance.

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He added that China is willing to be a constructive partner in Bangladesh’s development, particularly if its technological expertise can contribute to the welfare and prosperity of the Bangladeshi people. He also expressed optimism that cooperation between the two countries in the social protection sector would continue to expand.

Both sides expressed hope that the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China would be further strengthened through deeper cooperation and partnership.