Budgetary support: Tokyo considering Dhaka’s request
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan by the end of this month will take the bilateral relationship between the two countries to a new height, Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said yesterday.
"This is a very significant visit. This is almost to conclude 50-year anniversary of our diplomatic relations. With this visit, we are going to elevate our partnership to a new height," he told reporters after a farewell meeting with Planning Minister MA Mannan at the latter's office yesterday.
Hasina will visit Japan from November 29 to December 1 and hold a meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. The two nations are likely to sign a number of memorandums of understanding on cooperation.
Japan is a key development partner of Bangladesh engaged in some of the country's major infrastructure development projects, including Metro Rail, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Third Terminal of Dhaka Airport etc.
Under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), Japan is supporting Bangladesh in establishing connectivity and industries between Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.
"This industrial belt is a nexus for wonderful sustainable development of Bangladesh. Japan will continue to provide support in the development journey of Bangladesh," Naoki said.
Bangladesh has sought budget support for the current fiscal year from Japan. Asked about it, the ambassador said they provided budgetary support to Bangladesh during the coronavirus pandemic and were considering the request for similar support. However, Japan is yet to come to any conclusion.
He said Japan continued to provide support during the pandemic, especially the very important projects like Metro Rail-6, Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Third Terminal. The Metro Rail-6 will be launched in December.
"I can tell you Japan will continue to stand by Bangladesh in the development trajectory."
Asked about the global economic situation and the impacts on Bangladesh, he said Japan has full confidence in economic situation and management of Bangladesh though the whole world is suffering due to the global economic situation amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
He said Bangladesh was one of the top five countries that came out of the crisis successfully, but unfortunately the war is affecting all.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said he thanked Naoki for successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh and that the relationship between the two countries improved to a great extent during his tenure.
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