Encourage more investment in Bangladesh

Hasina urges Japanese PM Naoto Kan


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan hold a meeting at the latter's office in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday requested her Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan to encourage Japanese investment in Bangladesh and relocate their not-so-profitable industries to her country.
Hasina said Japanese investors can invest more in Bangladesh, as the country is investment-friendly and now being considered the second most profitable economy in South Asia.
Hasina, at an official banquet, said more investments can also significantly help to reduce the trade deficit -- Bangladeshi imports now amount to over a billion dollar as against exports of US$ 330 million to Japan.
Naoto Kan hosted the banquet in honour of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Tokyo.
Sheikh Hasina stressed on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Bangladesh and Japan for reaping mutual benefits by exploiting the untapped potentials of the two countries as well as reducing huge trade imbalance.
She sought more Japanese cooperation in Bangladesh's quest for a ''Digital Bangladesh'' and for graduating it to a middle-income country by fulfilling the government's Vision-2021.
The PM said her government began implementing policies ensuring a sound macro-economic stability, comfortable foreign reserve, and an excellent business climate.
Both Dhaka and Tokyo are committed to international peace and security, counter-terrorism, prevention of nuclear proliferation, elimination of weapons of mass destruction, and management of global climate change issues, she said.
She observed that the common views on most issues of mutual concern, goodwill, understanding and complementarities naturally lead the two countries to a strategic partnership, which would promote global peace.
Hasina assured that Bangladesh will extend its wholehearted support to the rightful claim of Japan for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.
The Bangladesh premier thanked Kan for their generous hospitality during her visit to Japan.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Prime Minister's Adviser Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed and Dr Mashiur Rahman, Executive Chairman of Board of Investment (BOI) Dr S A Samad, Ambassador At Large M Ziauddin, and Bir Bahadur MP joined the banquet.
Awami League leader M Akhtaruzzaman, Principal Secretary M A Karim, ERD Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Foreign Secretary Muhamed Mijarul Quayes, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, and FBCCI President A K Azad were also present.

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