Security is a prerequisite for smooth implementation of assistance activities by development partners, which is why Bangladesh government must keep up its efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens working in Bangladesh, a Japanese foreign ministry official said yesterday.
Kingo Toyoda, deputy director-general at the International Cooperation Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said as a major development partner of Bangladesh, Japan aims to aid the acceleration of sustainable economic growth with equity in Bangladesh.
Toyoda was in Dhaka to address the Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF), which started yesterday at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital and will end today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith and other high-ups of the government as well as donor representatives were present at the ceremony, among others.
In his statement, Toyoda said The BDF meeting was very time-appropriate.
“Bangladesh approved the ‘Seventh Five Year Plan’ in October, just after the United Nations General Assembly had adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, in September,” he said.
“Therefore, this meeting comes at a very timely moment, and I look forward to fruitful discussion among the participants from the government of Bangladesh, the development partners and the civil society.”
He further said Bangladesh and Japan launched a comprehensive partnership to further expand the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“Japan also recognises the importance of cooperation with Bangladesh in the regional context. Expanding economic ties between our two countries through trade and investment will contribute to steady development of South Asia,” Toyoda added.