Dhaka seeks Tokyo's support

Bangladesh has sought Japanese assistance in the construction of the Padma Bridge as well as power sector and disaster management.
"Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always places emphasis on attracting more foreign investment in these sectors to build the future Bangladesh," Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said when she met her Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada on the sidelines of 17th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, on Thursday.
Indicating communication a vital sector for the overall socio-economic development, the foreign minister sought Japanese cooperation for the construction of the Padma Bridge as it did for the Bangabandhu Bridge.
During the meeting, Dipu Moni recalled the historical relations that happily exist between Bangladesh and Japan, mentioning that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paid a visit to Japan in 1973 which in fact laid the foundation of today's relation.
She also said that the Bangladesh PM is very keen to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time this year to revitalise our bilateral relations.
Emphasising the importance of visit of the Bangladesh premier, the Japanese foreign minister said that Bangladesh is one of the close comprehensive economic partners and Japanese business communities are taking interest to invest to develop socio-economic infrastructure of Bangladesh.
Expressing Japanese positive indication regarding the Padma Bridge, Okada said that they would like to work together with ADB and the World Bank. He further informed that they have already signed the exchanged notes regarding the Bheramara Cycle Power Generation Plant and hoped for its quick implementation.
Dipu Moni said that despite various constraints Bangladesh is moving forward and it has been possible because of the friendly cooperation of Japan and other development partners of Bangladesh.
The Japanese foreign minister enthusiastically said that they would like to take some environment-friendly projects in Bangladesh.
Referring to a study report of JETRO, Dipu Moni informed her Japanese counterpart that the business environment of Bangladesh is better in South Asia, which she expects that the business community of Japan would be interested in Bangladesh.
The Japanese foreign minister sought Bangladesh's co-operation to work together in various regional and international forum.
Meanwhile, she also had a meeting with her Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Win on the sidelines of the ARF Ministerial Meeting.
Both the FM talked about the forthcoming visit of the Bangladesh PM to Myanmar.
Dipu Moni also invited her Myanmar counterpart to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.