“The government will provide security to the people working at the sites of the Japan-funded projects,” he told journalists after a meeting with Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Masato Watanabe yesterday.
He said security will also be provided to Padma Bridge project site.
First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy Tarantino Kawakami was also present at the meeting.
Muhith said: “I will have a meeting with home minister to talk about the security issue. However, they (Japanese) didn’t specify what sort of security steps should be taken.”
He said Japan has not made any changes to its aid policy towards Bangladesh after seven Japanese were killed in a recent terror attack in Dhaka.
Muhith said: “We want to address the demands of the Japanese authorities and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already assured them of better security at the project sites.”
In reply to a question, finance minister said implementation of the Matarbari power plant in Cox’s Bazar will be completed within the scheduled time.
“Prime minister has also spoken with the Matarbari project people. Hope, it will be completed on time,” he added.
According to the latest annual report of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Japan spent $479m on aid projects in Bangladesh between April 2014 and March 2015, including grants.
Japan has been seeking permission from the Bangladesh government to strengthen security arrangements and allow private security guards, equipped with necessary arms, to protect the offices and factories of private Japanese companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Bangladesh.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
