Rahamat Rahman, from Tokyo: Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has called for increased Japanese investment in information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. On the first day of his visit, yesterday afternoon (Monday) in Tokyo, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko met with him at the Imperial Hotel. Later, the Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin informed reporters about the matter.
The Prime Minister sought cooperation from JICA for establishing a technology and innovation city in Bangladesh and budget support to ensure energy security. The JICA President reiterated the commitment to work together for Bangladesh's prosperity. Later, when Masumi Kakinoki, Chairman of Marubeni Corporation and President of the Japan-Bangladesh Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation, paid a courtesy call, the Prime Minister urged for increased investment in three sectors. He stated that there are significant opportunities for investment in these promising sectors of Bangladesh through direct foreign investment and public-private partnerships.
During the meeting, Tareque Rahman also sought Japan's cooperation in modernizing Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and exploring the possibility of establishing a second fertilizer factory in the country.
Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin later told reporters that Bangladesh has proposed building a Bangladesh-Japan skill development partnership, establishing a technology and innovation city, and increasing cooperation in agricultural modernization, agro-product processing, and light engineering sectors.
The meeting emphasized continuing Japan's concessional loan assistance and increasing technical cooperation, considering Bangladesh's current development priorities. In the context of the global energy situation, a request was also made for budget support, similar to last year, to meet the country's energy demand and ensure energy security.
Quoting the Prime Minister, the Deputy Press Secretary stated that Japan's cooperation is playing a significant role in Bangladesh's infrastructure development, socio-economic progress, and realization of development aspirations. He emphasized continuing this cooperation to deepen the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and improve the development and quality of life of the people of Bangladesh.
In response, the JICA President reiterated the commitment to work together for Bangladesh's prosperity.
Shahadat Swadhin informed that the meeting emphasized completing ongoing major development projects with Japan's assistance within the stipulated time. Discussions also took place on accelerating the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting approval.
JICA Senior Vice President Hara Shohei and other senior officials of the agency were present at the meeting.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on the visit are Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister's Advisor for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit.
Also present are the Prime Minister's Advisor for Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Md. Shakirul Islam Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Shahriar Kader Siddiqui, and Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
A high-level meeting led by the prime ministers of the two countries is scheduled for Tuesday morning. A joint declaration will be released after the meeting. A report by Japanese media Nikkei suggests that Japan may pledge 1 trillion yen, or approximately 6.36 billion dollars, in investment for Bangladesh over five years.