Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has said that the next general elections in the country will be free, fair and transparent. Speaking at a session with the CNN Anchor and business editor at large Richard Quest during the Bangladesh Business Summit (BBS) 2023 on its inaugural day on Saturday, the Minister urged all the opposition parties to join the elections. He reiterated that the elections will be held in a credible manner ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.<br />'' <br />'' Responding to a question by Richard Quest about the opposition not getting a full and fair opportunity leading up to elections, the Minister said that the opposition parties are free to criticise the government, but they must follow the constitutional process.  However, the government will not allow anyone to damage private or public property.<br />'' <br />'' Foreign Minister Dr. Momen said that the government has taken several steps to ensure fair and credible elections. He said the Election Commission has been made fully independent and given authority to conduct elections. In the last 14 years, the Awami League government has conducted over 1000 elections in a free, fair and transparent manner, said Dr. Momen.<br />'' <br />'' Replying to another query, Dr. Momen said that it is a misconception that Bangladesh will fall into the 'Chinese Debt trap'. He said Bangladesh has received most of its foreign funding from international agencies. In fact, Bangladesh has borrowed the maximum amount from Japan. He said Bangladesh has taken loans on a prudent basis taking into account all factors.<br />'' <br />''Bangladesh signed an agreement and three MoUs on the inaugural day of the BBS 2023 with China and Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed with a company from Saudi Arabia to set up a gas pipeline through India and Bangladesh on a public-private-partnership basis. Two other MoUs were also signed with Saudi Arabia for developing Rangpur Sugar Mills and Patenga Container Terminal. An MoU was signed with China for infrastructure development.