Emphasizing Bangladesh's adoption of 'Look East' policy seriously, the Japanese envoy in the country sought Wednesday a favourable environment for the Japanese companies to do business here at a large scale.
He also sought precise assurance in this regard during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day official visit to Japan from May 25.
"We want to see all the big Japanese companies are doing business in Bangladesh…. and to this effect we want action, not words," Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima said while speaking at DCAB Talks at the National Press Club in the city.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) arranged the event with its president Mainul Alam in the chair. DCAB general secretary Angur Nahar Monty was also present.
The envoy said Bangladesh has Western orientation, and to change this the country needs to change its mindset only.
"I would say your mind orientation is towards European market… you are hooking up with Western market….and it is a simple question of mindset," he said.
Replying to a question whether Sheikh Hasina's this visit is different from her previous visits to Japan, he said Japan wants to make the visit a different one with a pledge to work together to help bring Japanese investors to Bangladesh in a large scale.
"This visit will play a very important role. This time our strategy has become clearer. We need to work for closer and stronger collaboration, so that both sides can efficiently translate the goals into reality," he added.
Responding to a question, the Japanese envoy said Bangladesh has been very successful in connecting it with European and North American markets. Bangladesh, in future, needs to seriously prepare itself to diversify export industry and products. And Japan is ready to extend all-out help in this regard.
He said shortages of energy and transportation infrastructure are the two barriers to smooth investment in Bangladesh.
"This should be addressed as quickly as possible…. this will not only help Bangladesh get more Japanese investment, but also investments from other countries also."
"Japan is ready to invest in building port at Matabari. We have done a series of feasibility studies and think that Matabari is the best location for the port," he also said.
Regarding the 'Look East' policy suggestion, the Japanese Ambassador said, "We will try to impress the Bangladesh Prime Minister during her visit to Japan to take a serious look towards the East. It will satisfy the aspiration of diversifying your production base in the coming years."
Many intermediary goods are traded within the East Asian countries - Korea, Japan, China and the ASEAN block - and they are assembled and exported to large markets, including East Asia itself, as well as the European Union.
"If we can have more cooperation amidst the East Asian countries, we will be benefited significantly."
The envoy said Japan wants to increase trade and security cooperation among the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean countries. Japan is working on combining Asia-Pacific cooperation for expediting regional economic activities.
"We strongly believe that Bangladesh is going to play a very strong role in ensuring prosperity and peace in the entire region."
"Japan does not have any plan to deploy its forces abroad like many other regional and international powers," he said replying to a question.
The ambassador expressed his surprise, as many Japanese companies hit record high sales in Bangladesh during the recent pre-poll violence across the country.
He said the post-election situation has brought relief to the Japanese companies and business delegations, worried till last year. "Many of them, who left Bangladesh, have started to return to their usual business here," he said.
The envoy also said Japan has no problem in dealing with the present government, as the January 5 election was constitutional and had no legal flaw. However, all the political parties must think seriously why they failed to give the people a chance to make their choice.
He hoped that in the coming days all the parties concerned will come together and work out a solution to give a chance to the voters to make choice.
"We urge the political leadership of the country to exercise their leadership, so that in the course of time the people's aspirations are seen fulfilled."
Replying to a question, the envoy said he is worried about the number of abductions and murders, taking place recently. He added that he understands Bangladesh's system and that since independence the country has overcome many difficulties.
However, he said some of small and medium enterprises of Japan, doing business in Bangladesh, are worried about their security, as they do not have protection like big companies.
Japan, which established diplomatic ties with Bangladesh in February 1972, is the country's largest bilateral development partner. The total amount of its grants and aid to Bangladesh reached $11 billion last year.
Sheikh Hasina last visited Japan in 2010, while the last visit of any Japanese prime minister to Bangladesh took place in 2000.
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