DHAKA, Bangladesh (CU)_The Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, Ito Naoki, stated that the five mega projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is set to change the face of Bangladesh, including Dhaka Metrorail and Matarbari Deep Sea Port, will be completed by 2025. During the 61st Birthday celebration the of the Japanese Emperor Naruhito in Dhaka on Tuesday (Feb 23), he said: “Those are essential for the growth of Bangladesh, for fulfilling its potential, and will change the face of the nation once they are completed”.
The ambassador said that by the end of this year, the long-awaited Dhaka Metrorail will be opened partially. “After that, the Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport extension, Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Stations, and Bangabandhu Railway Bridge will start operating one after another,” he said. Naoki also highlighted that in August 2020, for BIG- B’s quality infrastructure projects, he signed the largest annual Yen-loan package of approximately $3.2 billion. He said: “Japan will continue to extend its support to Bangladesh’s development as much as possible, bearing in mind it also leads to the overall stability and prosperity of Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific region, which are conducive to realize our common vision of Free and Open Indo-Pacific or FOIP”.
Education Minister Dipu Moni was the chief guest of the event. During his speech, he said that the Japan’s position as a key development partner is important for Bangladesh’s further progress. He said, “Now Bangladesh and Japan are working towards a strategic partnership to reach an even higher level of bilateral relationship. Since 1972, Bangladesh has received the largest official development assistance from Japan, making Japan the largest bilateral development partner.” Dipu Moni stated that in the sectors of infrastructure, human resource development, agriculture, education, water resource management, and disaster management, the contribution of Japan was of vital importance. He said, “As trusted partners and peace-loving nations, we have always worked together and supported each other to promote global peace and prosperity.”
The ambassador noted that despite the impacts of pandemic, the relations between Japan and Bangladesh strengthened in 2020. He said, “Japan supported Bangladesh in its fight against the pandemic and provided for the first time the budget support of approximately $330 million in August last year”. The Minister added that Japanese cooperation is of significant importance for Bangladesh to progress from the least developed country status to a developing nation. The celebration organised by the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka was also attended by Salman F Rahman, the Prime Minister’s advisor for Private Industry and Investment, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat.
