Support for big projects may come

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make a short official visit to Bangladesh on September 6 to discuss a host of bilateral and regional issues as well as to mobilise support for Japan's candidacy for a 2016-2017 non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC).

"This is the return visit by Abe in quick succession of prime minister's official visit to Japan on May 25-28," according to a formal announcement by the foreign ministry yesterday. Abe is due to arrive on Saturday noon and leave for Colombo on Sunday noon where he will also discuss the UNSC election with the Sri Lankan leadership, sources said. This will be the first Bangladesh tour by any Japanese PM in last 14 years after the visit by Yoshiro Mori in 2000.

Diplomatic sources said Abe, during his visit to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is expected to announce support for the big projects of the two countries and provide assistance in supplying coast guard cutters as well as building social infrastructure.

During the about 24-hour visit, the Japanese PM would hold official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and would call on President Abdul Hamid.

It is evident from the outcome of Sheikh Hasina's visit to Tokyo that Japan is very keen in expanding and deepening "comprehensive partnership" in almost all areas of our bilateral, economic, social and cultural relations, said the foreign ministry press release.

In addition, Abe will address the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum jointly organised by Bangladesh Board of Investment (BOI), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to promote trade between the two countries and attract Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

According to a recent report of Kyodo News agency of Japan, Abe is expected to discuss Japan's candidacy in the UNSC with the leaders of the two South Asian countries as only one member state from the Asia-Pacific region can win each election and Bangladesh has expressed interest in contesting a seat.

Diplomatic sources said the two sides are expected to make an announcement regarding the candidature for non-permanent seat of UNSC.

Dhaka is expected to announce in regard to providing Japan with an Exclusive Economic Zone and industrial plots in other existing zones to attract Japanese investment in Bangladesh, sources said.

The Japanese premier may make fresh announcement for further Japanese assistance in big infrastructure projects and economic cooperation towards promotion of mutual interest and regional prosperity.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abe announced his commitment to provide up to 600 billion Yen of additional assistance, mainly Yen loans, including the 35th yen loan package totalling 120 billion Yen, to Bangladesh in about four or five years from 2014.