Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday expressed optimism about increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh following the highly successful visit of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to Japan.
“It was a very successful visit,” the press secretary said while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.
He said relations between Bangladesh and Japan have become deeper and stronger, expressing hope that major Japanese investors will now come forward to invest significantly in Bangladesh.
On the issue of manpower export, the press secretary said a new opportunity has emerged with the formation of a dedicated task force.
Shafiqul said that with coordinated steps, Bangladesh could export a greater number of workers to Japan, with an initial target of 100,000 over the next five years. “Japan will be an important manpower export destination for Bangladesh,” he said.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahmmad Foyez were also present at the briefing.
On Friday, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali signed the Exchange of Notes for Japanese loans titled "Development Policy Loan for Economic Reform and Strengthening Climate Change Resilience" (up to JPY60 billion) and "Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur–Ishurdi Section Project (Ⅰ)" (up to JPY92 billion), as well as a grant aid titled "The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)" (up to JPY606 million).
The signing ceremony, held in Tokyo, was witnessed by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Ikuina Akiko and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
During the official working visit of Yunus to Japan from Wednesday to Saturday, both countries reaffirmed their "Strategic Partnership" and agreed to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, including economic development.
