Japan has responded positively to Bangladesh’s request to increase its energy-sector assistance from $312 million to $500 million, following talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomaki.
The assurance came during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
The discussions focused on the progress of several major infrastructure projects being implemented with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
During the meeting, Tarique Rahman expressed optimism that construction of the airport’s third terminal would be completed on schedule, allowing it to be inaugurated by December.
The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to speeding up implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to strengthen bilateral trade and investment.
The Japanese delegation informed the prime minister that Japan would provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.
The meeting also covered the Rohingya crisis, with Tarique Rahman seeking Japan’s continued support and a stronger international role to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
The Japanese delegation invited the prime minister to visit Japan, and Tarique said he hoped to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time.
The delegation included JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hirose Aiko, and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Takahashi Junko.
Also present from the Bangladesh side were Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Asia-Pacific Overseas Employment Md Shakilur Islam Khan.
