Japan will make additional investments in Bangladesh after situation returns to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito said this when he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Sunday.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
He said that Naoki Ito apprised Sheikh Hasina of the progress of various Japanese projects in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
Referring to Matarbari project, the ambassador said, despite pandemic situation, work of the project is progressing and it will be an industrial hub of Bangladesh and a game changer for the country.
About the special economic zones, the Japanese Envoy said, the economic zone at Arhaihazar of Narayanganj will be ready in the next year.
Japan is also constructing another Special economic zone in Mirsharai of Chattogram which will be the second largest one for Japan in terms of investment, he said.
Naoki Ito handed over to the Prime Minister a message of the Japanese Prime Minister and a video documentary on the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in 1973 titled “Welcome Bangabandhu (1973)”.
The video was recorded when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Japan in 1973. The Embassy of Japan obtained the video data with enhanced resolution and added Japanese and Bangla subtitles to present to Prime Minister Hasina in commemoration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu visited Japan from October 18 to 24, 1973 as prime minister with his daughter Sheikh Rehana and his son Sheikh Russel. He met Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kojun. During his stay in Japan, Bangabandhu also had talks with prime minister Tanaka Kakuei and foreign minister Ohira Masayoshi. Along with the programmes in Tokyo and its suburbs, Bangabandhu also enjoyed a local trip to Wakayama, Osaka and Kyoto.
During the call on, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highly appreciated Japan’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economic development.
Pointing out construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, she said, Bangladesh wants to operate it jointly in collaboration with Japan.
Shiekh Hasina conveyed her thanks to Japanese Prime Minister for sending her the message and the video documentary on the historic visit of Bangabandhu to Japan.
She recalled that her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and youngest brother Sheikh Russel accompanied Bangabandhu during his visit to Japan.
Besides, she herself also visited Japan early 90s as leader of opposition in Parliament, Sheikh Hasina recalled.
Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present.
