The Initiative of BIG-B or the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt is very important for enhancing and strengthening the relations between Bangladesh and Japan; and beyond ensuring an enhanced connectivity in the region for greater economic progress, says a leading Japanese economist. “I understand the BIG-B Initiative is very important in regard to enhancing and strengthening the relations and cooperation with Bangladesh,” Daisuke Shintani, Chief Economist of Asia, China & Oceania Department of Mitsui & Co. Global Strategic Studies Institute told UNB in an interview. He said an enhanced connectivity in all the countries in Asian region will help bring more economic benefits to the people of the region. The year of 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh. Towards this milestone year, for further strengthening bilateral relations, Bangladesh and Japan want to make the utmost efforts for further promoting trade and investment with an improved business environment, as well as further deepening mutual understanding and ‘exchange of people’ between Japan and Bangladesh. From this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of independence, JICA's projects of large-scale infrastructure will gradually be completed one after another to promote Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative. Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line 6 will be partially open in December this year. After that, the Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion, Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Plant Stations, as well as Bangabandhu Railway Bridge will start operating, according to the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka. Japanese economist Shintani said the development of Bangladesh’s three major cities -- Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar -- using Japanese experience and the implementation of mega projects will help Bangladesh grow further in a faster way. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said the completion of these projects will change the face of the nation and profoundly contribute to the stability and prosperity of Bangladesh. “This country will move one step closer to the realisation of the Golden Bengal,” he said as Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of Independence. Also read: Economic ties with Bangladesh to make leap: Japanese PM