Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori on Saturday expressed his country’s willingness to enhance the bilateral relationship with Dhaka over the next 50 years in line with their “strategic partnership” focusing on trade, investment, people to people exchanges and security cooperation. He laid emphasis on implementing a variety of practical cooperation in promising sectors and explored the possibility of a trilateral platform among Japan, Bangladesh and India.
Japanese entrepreneurs are demonstrating more enthusiasm about business and investment opportunities in Bangladesh. We believe our time-tested friend Japan and its people will be with us on our transformative journey to development and prosperity. We hope that in our efforts to cross the threshold from a developing to a developed country, we will have Japan by our side as facilitator in the manner that they have been so far.
We envisage that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan would be enhanced further. Also, we appreciate Japan’s support in implementing our mega projects such as Matarbari deep sea port, third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Dhaka Metro Rail.
We envisage that the
bilateral trade between
Bangladesh and Japan
would be enhanced
further
Japan is one of the most powerful industrialized nations in the world. The country not only took part in our independence movement but also at the post independent time of Bangladesh. The role Japan has played in Bangladesh’s nation building strategy is a concrete instance of selfless friendship. The friendship that Japan and Bangladesh has been enjoying over the last four decades is rare in today’s world.
Friendship between the two countries was tested in the terror attack in Dhaka in July 2016, which led to the tragic death of seven Japanese nationals. It was during that moment of national anguish and mourning that yet again, the Japanese people and government stood by us and reassured us of Japan’s continued support to Bangladesh’s development.
The relationship between Dhaka and Tokyo is going from strength to strength. The latter is likely to continue to play a crucial role as the single largest bilateral donor and a trusted friend and development partner. It is essential that Tokyo remains actively engaged with Bangladesh in its journey to become a developed nation.