Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Japan visit, which was cancelled earlier, could be rescheduled for April.

Newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori today made the propodal to PM Hasina on behalf of his country while calling on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.

PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam said this while briefing reporters on the meeting.

He said that the Japanese Ambassador had proposed the PM to visit Japan in March or April.

“The prime minister preferred April for her visit,” he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to visit Japan from November 29 to December 1 last year, but it was later put on hold.

During his meeting with the PM, envoy Kiminori said that Japan and Bangladesh share a longstanding bond and assured that he will work to take it to the next level, according to PM’s speechwriter.

“Future relations will be strategic relations,” he said.

He was quoted as saying that Japan will extend all-out cooperation to Bangladesh to materialise its aspiration of becoming a developed country by 2041.

Read: FM thanks Japan for support in metro rail, other development projects

The Japanese ambassador said that he would work to strengthen the existing Japan-Bangladesh framework for enhancing bilateral trade and commerce.

“I will work to bring more Japanese investment to Bangladesh, and strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries,” he said.

Regarding the Rohingya repatriation issue, he said that Japan, through bilateral and ASEAN forums, will pursue the matter.

He said that to intensify the humanitarian programme in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, JICA is working with UNHCR. He also said that some Japanese NGOs are also working in these areas.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Japan for their cooperation in constructing the Metro Rail project. She hoped that Japan will continue their cooperation in introducing other metro rail lines as well.

Calling for Japanese investment in the Sabrang Tourism Special Economic Zone, which will be dedicated only for foreign tourists, Sheikh Hasina invited the country to lead the beach management of the economic zone.

Also thanking Japan for constructing the third terminal at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which will open next year, she assured that management charge of the terminal will be given to a Japanese company.

She invited more Japanese investment, saying that Bangladesh offers the best investment packages among Asian countries.

In this connection, she mentioned that due to the geographical advantages of Bangladesh, foreign investors could make profits through exporting their products to South and East Asian countries.

The PM said that Japan has been one of Bangladesh's closest friends since the independence. Japan is close to her and her family members' hearts as well, the PM said.

Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin and PMO secretary Mohammad Salahuddin were present at the meeting.