Japanese PM reiterates full support to CA's reform initiatives

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday reaffirmed his country’s full support for the nation-building, reform initiatives, and efforts for a peaceful transition in Bangladesh led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus of the interim government.

This assurance was given during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tokyo earlier today.

Recalling the long-standing friendship since Bangladesh’s independence, both sides reiterated their commitment to strategic partnership between the two countries.

They expressed renewed commitment to exchange views on a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) region to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity for all.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation to ensure peace and stability in this region and beyond while adhering to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

They assured support for multilateralism based on the rule of law and democracy.

The Japan-Bangladesh joint statement mentioned that during the meeting, they held open and in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the continued support of the Government of Japan in promoting sustainable economic growth and development, especially through projects under the Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Development Initiative (MIDI) and Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiatives.

In this context, both parties welcomed the signing of a note of exchange for development policy loans aimed at economic reform and climate change resilience, and the loan signing for the construction of a dual-gauge double line between Joydebpur and Ishwardi Section (O).

Both sides welcomed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Cooperation Agreements (MoCs) related to encouraging Japanese investment in Bangladesh, including the One-Stop Service (OSS) system at BIDA, installation of prepaid gas meters, factory establishment for battery-operated cycles, launching a pilot project for information security, and land agreements with Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ).

They emphasized the importance of concluding the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) mutually beneficially and instructed their respective ministries and negotiating teams to expedite talks to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Both parties reiterated their commitment to strengthening political and security cooperation, including the rapid delivery of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA).

They welcomed the principle agreement between the two governments on the transfer of defense equipment and technology and expressed hope for the swift completion of the agreement.

The two sides discussed ways to increase exchanges among their people, including skilled human resources, and agreed to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.

In this regard, Professor Yunus expressed gratitude to the Japanese Prime Minister for Japan’s continued support in human resource development in Bangladesh, including scholarships under the Human Resource Development Project.

The Japanese Prime Minister praised Bangladesh for temporarily sheltering forcibly displaced persons from Myanmar’s Rakhine State and providing ongoing humanitarian assistance to them.

Professor Yunus appreciated Japan’s humanitarian aid for forcibly displaced persons, including those at Vashan Char.

Japan reiterated its sustainable efforts in this matter.

Both sides expressed the view that the sustainable, safe, voluntary, and dignified return of displaced persons to Myanmar is the ultimate solution to the crisis.

They acknowledged the importance of sincere dialogue among all concerned stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

Professor Yunus expressed sincere gratitude to Shigeru Ishiba and the people of Japan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and invited the Japanese Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Among others, Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser Lutfe Siddiqui, SDG Chief Coordinator Lamia Morshed, and Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam attended the meeting.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser was accorded a Guard of Honour.