Nation revels in cricket feverNation revels in cricket fever

Many countries are passionate about sport, but there are few places where cricket is as much a symbol of achievement as in Bangladesh. The nation's co-hosting of this year's Cricket World Cup is viewed as one of the biggest events since independence 40 years ago.

Bangladesh thrilled the cricket world with a stunning opening ceremony featuring homegrown singers and dancers, plus artistes from fellow host nations India and Sri Lanka, who were joined by Grammy award-winning Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams.

Not only did the nation excel with a dazzling two-hour spectacle featuring an aerial cricket match, the national team also secured a memorable first time, two-wicket win over England.

'Cricket is very important to our nation and we are very pleased we have shown to the world how we can safely host a large event and make visitors to our country feel very welcome,' says Ashud Ahmed, Bangladesh Consul General in Hong Kong.

The consul general says there are plenty of other reasons Bangladesh can be proud of its achievements. Foremost is the creation of an attractive environment for foreign direct investments, promoting tourism and building bilateral trade arrangements.

'Bangladesh, China and Hong Kong, as part of China, enjoy a long and strong relationship,' Ahmed says. Mainland companies have expressed interest in developing a deep-water port near Chittagong, which could turn Bangladesh's coast into a global cargo hub, working as a hinterland for a stretch of a land including southern China.