Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki’s recent statements at the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh are an encouraging reminder of the great steps Bangladesh has taken towards progress -- according to the ambassador, Bangladesh will have a completely different look in the next few years.
And these are not mere words: Japan has been one of Bangladesh’s development partners for a while now and we have continued to nurture this relationship through exchanges, dialogues, and projects in a multitude of areas, from trade and investment to infrastructural improvements.
As Ambassador Ito has said, such changes will occur through “the implementation of quality projects,” which Bangladesh has been undertaking more and more of in order to improve generate growth and improve the lives of its people.
However, therein lies the key: Implementation. While it is laudable to take on projects which seek improvements for the nation, if these projects end up being delayed or shelved or run into budgetary constraints as a result of mismanagement and bureaucracy, then they become monuments to waste, both of effort and money.
But things are changing for the better with the ambassador himself highlighting how much it has improved.
In addition, the ambassador Ito highlighted four key reasons as to why Japan will continue to support Bangladesh in its journey forward, and we would do well to heed the ambassador’s words and ensure that we continue to maintain and improve in these key areas.
These reasons are Bangladesh’s growth potential, its strategic location, its undertaking of quality infrastructure projects, and the presence of strong industries -- all of which have come about as a result of the immense contributions by the people of this nation.
Moving forward, we must continue to improve in providing a welcome environment for Japanese investors, among others, and building on the great progress we have made so far.