Bangladesh and Japan have reaffirmed their strategic partnership, focusing on trade, investment, energy, defence and people-to-people ties. Both sides also discussed the Economic Partnership Agreement, the BIG-B initiative and cooperation on regional and global issues.
Bangladesh and Japan have reiterated their desire to deepen their strategic partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence and sustainable development. The pledge was made at the seventh Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka on August 12.
The consultations were attended by the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and the Senior Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan Namazu Hiroyuki. The talks included bilateral relations, high-level exchanges, the BIG-B Initiative, green energy and people-to-people contacts.
Also read: Malaysia Joins Asia-Pacific Summit to Strengthen Food Safety
The two sides also discussed cooperation under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Japan's Official Security Assistance framework. Namazu briefed the Bangladeshi delegation on Japan's vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and welcomed Bangladesh's recent receipt of five patrol boats for its navy.
Bangladesh hoped that the EPA would facilitate more Japanese investment and bilateral trade. Dhaka also accepted Japan's assistance in the implementation of key infrastructure projects under the BIG-B initiative such as the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Project, Dhaka Metro Rail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Siam wanted to continue to receive support from Japan for the development of renewable energy, sustainable development and expansion of trade and investment. The two sides also emphasized the need for enhanced people-to-people ties.
Bangladesh requested more opportunities for skilled workers in Japan and more educational, cultural and civil society exchanges. The two countries agreed that such contacts would help build mutual understanding and promote closer bilateral relations.
Another important topic that was discussed during the consultations was the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh pointed out the challenges of hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees and reiterated its demand for their sustainable return to Myanmar. Dhaka also expressed its gratitude to Japan for its ongoing assistance in the humanitarian situation.
The two countries also exchanged views on regional and global developments and agreed to keep coordinating on matters of mutual interest. They reiterated their adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and cooperation at the UN.
Also read: Driving Business through Technology in Manufacturing Industries
The consultations also covered high-level exchanges in the future. Japan invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan, and Bangladesh invited Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi to make an official visit to Dhaka.
The latest battle reflects the growing breadth of Bangladesh-Japan relations, with economic cooperation, infrastructure, energy, defence and human-resource exchanges being important pillars of the partnership.