State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Japan offers an important opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation and build a long-term partnership based on mutual interests.
“The visit will play a significant role in further strengthening Bangladesh-Japan relations, expanding trade and attracting Japanese investment, as the international community shows growing interest in Bangladesh’s current government,” he said.
Humaiun Kobir made the remarks at a press conference at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo at night, briefing reporters on the first day of the Prime Minister’s four-day visit to Japan.
He said Tarique Rahman held extended discussions with senior officials on how to make the day’s programmes as effective as possible for Bangladesh’s interests, despite arriving in Tokyo after a long journey. “The Prime Minister then attended a series of engagements after taking only a light meal.”
The state minister said the Prime Minister’s energy and determination to prioritise national interests were evident from the first day of the visit.
Recalling the historical ties between Bangladesh and Japan, he said the relationship developed during the time of late President Ziaur Rahman, while former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s visits to Japan also helped strengthen bilateral ties.
Tarique Rahman's current visit is an important initiative to take the relationship to a new level, Humaiun Kobir added.
On Monday, the Prime Minister held a meeting with a delegation of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League led by its President and former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. Senior leaders of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and other representatives were also present.
The meeting featured discussions on strengthening bilateral relations, increasing Japanese investment, expanding trade and transferring technology, Humaiun Kobir said.
He said Tarique Rahman recalled Aso’s long experience in promoting Bangladesh’s development and bilateral relations and urged him to use that experience to help create an investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh.
The state minister said the Prime Minister also invited Aso to visit Bangladesh.
Highlighting the scope for Japanese investment and economic cooperation, he said Tarique Rahman also met Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, who is also president of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.
Humaiun Kobir said they discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation, increasing Japanese investment in Bangladesh and implementing the recently signed Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Potential investment areas included information and communication technology, energy, advanced manufacturing, fertiliser production and industrial modernisation, he said.
Cooperation in modernising Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited and the possibility of establishing a second fertiliser factory in Bangladesh were also discussed, the state minister said.
He said Tarique Rahman emphasised the need to make use of new investment opportunities to expand commercial ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also met Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko and called for continued Japanese support for Bangladesh’s development projects.
The discussions covered continued cooperation in infrastructure and economic development, as well as expediting ongoing projects, Humaiun Kobir said.
He said the Prime Minister highlighted opportunities for Japanese investment in technological innovation, agricultural modernisation, agro-processing and light engineering.
The state minister said he also called for stronger Japanese cooperation to enhance Bangladesh’s energy security and capacity.
The JICA president expressed optimism about continuing the agency’s support for Bangladesh’s development, he added.
The Prime Minister also attended a dinner hosted by Yohei Sasakawa, honorary chairman of the Nippon Foundation.
Humaiun Kobir said Sasakawa, who previously visited Bangladesh, has shown interest in the country’s development activities.
He said the visit is expanding engagement with representatives of the Japanese government and private sector, with further important meetings and programmes scheduled in the coming days.
The state minister expressed hope that these initiatives will open up new avenues for investment in Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh wants to build international partnerships based on mutual trust, transparency and accountability, with the government aiming to establish the country as a strong destination for investment and business by harnessing its economic potential.
Humaiun Kobir expressed optimism that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh-Japan relations will deepen further and create new economic opportunities for the people of both countries.
PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin, and senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo were present at the press conference.