Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal hoped that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would increase its funding in important projects in Bangladesh alongside lending necessary budget support - considering the future global uncertainties, reports BSS.
Mr Kamal expressed the hope when JICA President Akihiko Tanaka made a courtesy call on him at his secretariat office in the capital on Monday.
The finance minister noted that the support that Japan had extended at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic was the first budget support to Bangladesh provided by Japan. It ultimately helped the country to lessen the pandemic impacts, which was now facing the Russia-Ukraine crisis, said a press release.
Recalling that Japan became the single largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh day by day, Mr Kamal said, "It's my belief that the JICA will increase its funding in important projects in our country alongside extending necessary budget support - considering the future global uncertainties."
The strong foundation of the Bangladesh-Japan relations was laid back in October 1973, when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Japan.
Japan was one of the countries that recognised Bangladesh in February 1972 just after the Independence. Since then Japan had been one of the trusted bilateral development partners of Bangladesh and also a time-tested friend, he added.
Extending his heartfelt thanks to Japan, especially the JICA, for continued support towards the development efforts of Bangladesh, Mr Kamal said Bangladesh-Japan relations reached a unique height under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The relationship had been further expedited following the visits of Sheikh Hasina to the country in 2014 and in 2019.
He also recalled the visit of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Bangladesh in 2014 and expressed his deep condolences at the sad demise of Mr Abe.
In response, Mr Tanaka highly lauded the economic progress of Bangladesh, saying Bangladesh is an important country for the JICA to extend its support to.
"Bangladesh is now far ahead than its neighboring countries in different social and economic indicators. Due to successful implementation of the support, the country's position is now very good in terms of (utilising) the development support extended by Japan."
The JICA president opined that Bangladesh reached a new level of development through attainments in various social indicators.
Recalling his previous visit to Bangladesh in 2014, Mr Tanaka said his current visit to Bangladesh impressed him immensely.
The construction of the Padma Bridge under the firm leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amazed the whole world, he added.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Sharifa Khan, Japanese Ambassador
to Dhaka Ito Naoki, and Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Yuho
Hayakawa were present, among others, on the occasion.
