The Prime Minister is going to visit Japan in April

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan, which was postponed in November last year due to the deterioration of the Covid situation in Japan, may be held in March or April.

Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Iwama Kiminori offered the Prime Minister a visit to Japan on behalf of his country during a courtesy call at Ganabhaban on Wednesday (January 11).

After the courtesy meeting, the Prime Minister's speech writer. Nazrul Islam briefed the journalists.

Nazrul Islam said that the Japanese ambassador has offered Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Japan in March-April. The Prime Minister expressed interest in going in April.

Also read : BNP 'watches' Donald Lu's visit, 'doubts' about meeting

Referring to the good relations between the two countries, newly appointed Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori told the Prime Minister that Japan and Bangladesh have long-standing ties. The ambassador assured to work to take this relationship to the next level.

Kiminori said the future relationship will be a strategic one. Japan will give full cooperation to make Bangladesh a developed country by 2041.

Stating that he will work to expand trade and investment between the two countries, Kiminori said that he will work to strengthen the structure of Japan-Bangladesh for the growth of bilateral trade and commerce. He also said that he will work to bring core Japanese investment in Bangladesh and strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Regarding the Rohingya issue, the Japanese ambassador said that Bangladesh wants these Rohingyas to return to their own country. Japan will raise the issue bilaterally and in ASEAN forums.

Regarding humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas, he said, JICA is working with UNHCR to strengthen humanitarian assistance activities in Cox's Bazar and Bhashanchar. In addition, some Japanese NGOs are working in these areas.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Japan for its support in the construction of metro rail. He said that Metrorail has received a huge response from the people. It is expected that Japan will continue to cooperate in the construction of other metro rail lines.

Sheikh Hasina called for Japanese investment in Sabrang Tourism Special Economic Zone. He also invited Japan to take responsibility for the beach management of this economic zone.

Also read : If attacked, Ukraine may join the war Belarus: Russia

Sheikh Hasina thanked Japan for constructing the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which will be inaugurated next year. He also assured that a Japanese company will be given the responsibility of managing the terminal.

The prime minister called for more Japanese investment in Bangladesh citing the best investment package offer for Asian investor countries. 

He said, due to the geographical advantage of Bangladesh, foreign investors can earn profits by exporting their products to South Asian and East Asian countries.

Referring to the historic friendly relations with Japan, the Prime Minister said that Japan has been Bangladesh's best friend since independence. The position of Japan is in the heart of him (Prime Minister) and his family members.

Among others present during the meeting were Prime Minister's Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Mohammad Salahuddin.