A high-level Japanese delegation led by Agriculture Minister and Special Envoy Suzuki Norikazu held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament building on Wednesday, where both sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture, technology, trade, and infrastructure.
The Japanese minister congratulated the prime minister on assuming office and expressed hope for taking Bangladesh-Japan relations to an even higher level.
Suzuki emphasised effectively moving forward with the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries. The Special Envoy also expressed interest in increasing the export of Japanese food products to Bangladesh and expanding cooperation in the agriculture and technology sectors.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh and Japan are long-tested friends, noting that one of the current government’s top priorities is creating employment for young people.
He called for increased Japanese investment in the agriculture, electronics and automobile sectors.
The prime minister also expressed interest in exporting Bangladeshi manpower to Japan, highlighting the potential for sending skilled workers in healthcare and agriculture. The Japanese delegation received these proposals positively.
The Japanese side emphasised the swift and smooth completion of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Metro Rail project and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which are being implemented with Japanese cooperation. The prime minister assured continued cooperation on these matters.
The Japanese delegation informed that they would provide $17.5 million in assistance to address the Rohingya crisis, while the prime minister emphasised the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The Japanese side also invited the prime minister to visit Japan, and Tarique expressed hope for an official visit at a mutually convenient time.
Also present were Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Agricultural and Political Affairs Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, and Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.
