Dhaka, Broadcasting News Corporation: Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Ono Keiichi called on Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud on tuesday. Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori and officials of both the countries were present during the meeting at Foreign Ministry in the capital. Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan thanked the Senior Deputy Minister for visiting Bangladesh to attend the 5th Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations. He recalled the unwavering Japanese support for the cause of the independence of Bangladesh and stated that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s official visit to Japan in October 1973 laid the rock-solid foundation of today’s exemplary Bangladesh-Japan relations. During the meeting, FM expressed satisfaction at the good progress of JICA-assisted mega-infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, namely, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Dhaka Metro Rail, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport 3rd Terminal, Bangabandhu Railway Bridge over Jamuna river. Dr. Hasan expressed satisfaction on the visit of the Japanese Trade Negotiating Team for EPA to Dhaka last month to attend the 1st round of Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Negotiations. He expressed hope that the EPA would be concluded to get Japanese financial concession by 2026 when Bangladesh will be graduated from LDC status.
Referring to the ratification by Bangladesh of the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, FM requested for Japanese assistance for building Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) unit in Bangladesh as early as possible so that the Bangladeshi shipyards can be world class green certified shipyards to continue their ship breaking activities without hassle. Foreign Minister Hasan deeply appreciated the Government of Japan along with Sasakawa Foundation for the continued efforts towards a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of the Rohingyas to the Rakhine State of Myanmar for peace, stability, and security in the region and wished the efforts continue to grow till success. He also appreciated Japan’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas including those relocated to Bhashan Char. The Japanese Senior Deputy Minister gave emphasis on the construction of Matarbari deep sea port in Bangladesh which he said will ensure greater connectivity in the region. He also looked forward to early conclusion of EPA to boost bilateral trade and investment. Regarding ship recycling, he informed that Japanese Experts will visit Bangladesh soon to ensure the TSDF facilities in Bangladesh. Ono Keiichi assured of continued Japanese support towards humanitarian assistance and repatriation process of Rohingyas and thanked Bangladesh government for hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian ground.