Japan today assured that the country would continue its assistance for Bangladesh’s development.
“We would continue to render assistance for the development of Bangladesh,”Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Masato Watanabe said when he paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here this morning.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
The envoy said Japan is providing loans of 600 billion yen to different mega projects of Bangladesh. He said the Japanese investors have close eyes on Bangladeshi companies and they are keen to invest in building manufacturing industries here.
Masato Watanabe put emphasis on more “active economic relations” between the two countries side by side with further advancement of the existing bilateral ties.
The outgoing Japanese ambassador thanked the prime minister for extending her government’s sincere cooperation to discharging his duty during his tenure.
He said though his stay in Dhaka is brief, but it’s fruitful.
In this connection, the ambassador mentioned that his biggest success during his stay here is the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan.
The prime minister said Bangladesh always considers Japan as its great friend.
“We always consider Japan as our great friend as it has always been supporting Bangladesh for development,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina recalled that Japan has made enormous contributions to Bangladesh’s development since its independence.
In this connection, the premier said the feasibility study on the Bangabandhu Bridge was conducted after the visit of Bangabandhu to Japan.
While talking about the ongoing flood in Bangladesh, the prime minister said the people of the country are living with natural disasters. “We have learnt how to face the natural calamities,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the administration, defence forces and her party men are working to mitigate sufferings of the people.
On the trade and investment relations with Japan, the prime minister said the government has allocated 1000 acres land for the Japanese investors in the special economic zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
In this regard, she said her government would provide all sorts of security for the Japanese projects in Bangladesh.
Pointing out the Holey Artisan Cafe attack in Gulshan last year, the premier described the incident as regretful. “We have tackled the situation with an iron hand,” she said.
She said the government is now building up public opinion against terrorism and militancy by involving the cross section of people. “We’re getting a positive response from the people in this regard,” she said.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury was present on the occasion.
