The BNP on Wednesday paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot dead last week while campaigning for a parliamentary election.

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a BNP standing committee member, visited the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka in the afternoon and signed a condolence book.

Abe was a close friend of Bangladesh, and he made significant contributions to the strengthening of Bangladesh-Japan ties, Khosru told the media.

He also recalled that Abe sincerely worked with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia when she was in power to develop Bangladesh and cement the bilateral ties.

Japan had played an outstanding role in carrying out various development activities in Bangladesh during BNP's rule, Khosru noted.

Even, he said, the East Asian country was ready to finance the construction of the Padma Bridge during the BNP government, but later it was cancelled.

"We signed the condolence book for him today. We hope that the Japan-Bangladesh relationship will remain intact," the BNP leader said.

Read:BNP denounces Abe's dastardly assassination

Abe was a very competent person as an international leader, and he was active in politics for a long time with the love of the people of Japan, Khosru added. "We're deeply saddened, and the people of Bangladesh are also shocked by his death."

On July 9, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his deep shock over Abe's death.

The 67-year-old, the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, died after being shot while delivering a campaign speech in Nara, near Kyoto on July 8.

He immediately collapsed and was seen bleeding before being taken to hospital.

The attack on Abe and his subsequent death sent shock waves throughout the world.

To show deep respect to the former Japanese prime minister, Bangladesh observed a day of mourning on July 9 and flags flew at half-staff.