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Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic and development cooperation with Bangladesh, expressing a positive response to increasing its energy support package while pledging to expedite key infrastructure projects and strengthen bilateral ties.
The commitments came during a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and a high-level Japanese delegation led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomaki at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon.
The Japanese delegation included the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, along with senior officials from Japan’s Foreign Ministry and JICA.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress of several major Japanese-funded development projects in Bangladesh, including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the MRT lines, and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed optimism that construction of the airport’s third terminal would be completed on schedule, paving the way for its inauguration by December this year.
In a significant development, Japan responded positively to Bangladesh’s request to raise its energy sector assistance from US$312 million to US$500 million to help the country address its ongoing energy challenges.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to swiftly advancing the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), describing the pact as an important milestone for expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The Japanese delegation informed the Prime Minister that Japan would provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy as part of broader cooperation in the maritime sector.
The Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the discussions. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sought Japan’s continued support for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya to Myanmar, while urging Tokyo to play a stronger role in international efforts to resolve the crisis.
The Japanese delegation extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Japan. Tarique Rahman thanked the delegation for the invitation and expressed his hope to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time.
The meeting was attended on the Bangladesh side by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Adviser on the Ministry of Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Asia-Pacific Foreign Employment Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan.
The Japanese side included Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hirose Aiko, JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, and Takahashi Junko, Chief Representative of the JICA Bangladesh Office.
