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 Professor Muhammad Yunus to Japan.

“It was a very successful visit,” said the Press Secretary while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

He said the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan has 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.

Alam said 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.

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Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahmmad Foyez were also present at the briefing.

On May 30, 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 JPY 60 billion) and ‘Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur–Ishurdi Section Project (Ⅰ)’ (up to JPY 92 billion), as well as a grant aid titled ‘The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)’ (up to JPY 606 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 Professor Yunus to Japan from May 28 to 31, both countries reaffirmed their ‘Strategic Partnership’ and agreed to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, including economic development.