Dhaka, Tokyo in talks to ink defence deal
Bangladesh and Japan may soon sign an agreement facilitating a transfer of defence equipment and technology as part of their efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
"We are in discussion on an agreement concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology. We will not be able to disclose the details at this moment. However, the discussions are progressing in a positive manner," Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, said yesterday.
He was addressing a roundtable organised by the Pan-Asia Research Institute (PARI), a Japan-based think tank, at the Japanese embassy.
Japan selected Bangladesh as one of the four countries—the others being the Philippines, Malaysia, and Fiji—to be the beneficiaries of Japan's new Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme. The two countries also agreed to appoint defence attachés in their respective embassies.
The topic was discussed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan in April this year.
Japan-Bangladesh bilateral trade is close to $4 billion, and the East Asian country has provided the largest amount of overseas development assistance, $24.72 billion, to Bangladesh since 1971. It is developing some of the major infrastructure, including Matarbari, metro rail, and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
With Bangladesh coming out of LDC status and the era of a duty-free regime gone by 2026, Dhaka and Tokyo are studying the prospects of signing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to promote trade and investments.
Iwama Kiminori said the Japan-Bangladesh Joint Study Group, which has already held two meetings on EPA, is preparing for the third round. It aims to start the negotiation process before signing the EPA at an early stage.
Japan is also supporting Bangladesh in establishing an industrial belt surrounding Cox's Bazar, with Matarbari Deep Sea Port at the helm, and connecting Northeast India in the process.
A trilateral discussion among Bangladesh, Japan, and India is also underway on exploring ways of improving connectivity and industries in the region, Kiminori said.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said Japan is Bangladesh's all-weather friend, and the two need to grow together.
With an ageing population, Japan will need a huge workforce, and Bangladesh can offer such human resources. Japan is Bangladesh's fastest growing market for IT and can be a major destination for Bangladeshi skilled workers, he said.
Shahriar Alam said that while Japan is working for regional peace and stability, it can step up efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.
Speakers from both countries said Japan can do a lot in terms of capacity building for youths in Bangladesh, which will help Bangladesh become a developed country by 2041.
They said improving the business environment in Bangladesh, easing traffic congestion, and making climate change-resilient infrastructure are some of the essentials that Bangladesh needs to focus on.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed; JICA Bangladesh Senior Representative Eiji Yamada; Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam; Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka President Etsuro Kano; Foreign Ministry Director (East Asia and Pacific wing) Sayem Ahmed; PARI President Yuji Ando and Executive Director Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun also spoke at the roundtable.
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