Bangladesh and Japan agree to boost cooperation on metro rail and public transport

Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to further strengthen Japan's cooperation in infrastructure development, modernisation of communication systems and the public transport sector, including metro rail.

A courtesy meeting was held on Tuesday at the meeting room of the Road Transport and Highways Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat between Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam and Japan's Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Uno Yoshimasa. Discussions covered various issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam expressed gratitude to Uno Yoshimasa for Japan's long-standing cooperation in Bangladesh's infrastructure development and communication sector.

He said Japan's continued cooperation as a development partner is extremely important for Bangladesh. Japan's experience, technological expertise and technical cooperation are particularly valuable for building modern, safe, sustainable and environment-friendly public transport systems, including metro rail.

The minister said the government is working with long-term plans to develop communication infrastructure and modernise public transport systems. The experience and cooperation of a developed partner like Japan can play a vital role in building an integrated, safe, people-friendly and environment-friendly communication system.

He expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan would be further strengthened in the future and that cooperation in various areas of mutual interest would expand.

Japan's Special Advisor Uno Yoshimasa said it is important to build modern and sustainable public transport infrastructure in line with Bangladesh's growing urbanisation and economic growth. Japan's experience, advanced technology and technical expertise can be more effectively utilised in Bangladesh's development activities.

He said Bangladesh and Japan can work more closely in the future on infrastructure development, metro rail, railway connectivity, road transport and other important sectors based on mutual trust and cooperation. He also assured that Japan's cooperation in Bangladesh's development journey will continue.

The meeting was attended by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Md Shawgatul Alam.