State Minister for Foreign Affairs said Thursday Bangladesh's bilateral relation with foreign countries, including global powers, is moving with a 'good pace' that reflects their full confidence in the current government, reports UNB.
"We're not facing any problems at the working level. Our bilateral dealing with foreign countries, including Japan, Russia and China, even with the USA, is progressing with a good pace," M Shahriar Alam said this at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in the city Thursday.
He said the countries are realising and thinking that Bangladesh is the best destination for investment, as they make 'comparing statements' with other competitive countries.
The press conference was arranged to brief the media about the Prime Minister's just-concluded visit to Japan. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque was present on the occasion.
On Bangladesh's ties with Japan, Shahriar said Bangladesh's relation with Japan reached a new height and its pledge to provide US$6.0 billion, equivalent to 600 billion yen, to Bangladesh proves that Bangladesh's relation with Japan is much better than anytime in the past.
Responding to a question, he said the Prime Minister has directed (ERD) to make a quick review whether any 'priority project' could be included for implementation under the Japan's yen loan.
At the same time, it will be checked out whether any project can be dropped which will not be possible to take up within the next five years, he added.
Bangladesh and Japan discussed five projects-the Ganges Barrage project, a multi-modal tunnel beneath the river Jamuna, a second nuclear power plant (NPP), a rail bridge parallel to Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna, Eastern Bypass road and restoration of water bodies surrounding Dhaka-during the Prime Minister's Japan visit, the State Minister said.
He mentioned that an expert team would soon visit Dhaka to carry out a feasibility study on the projects.
Asked about the second Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), he said it is still at the 'conceptual stage' and an international seminar will be arranged in Dhaka in September next to share experiences about it.
Responding to another question, the State Minister said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to visit Dhaka by the last week of August.
On Japanese investment, Shahriar said Bangladesh would preserve 40 plots in five EPZs for Japanese investors.
Sought comments about Bangladesh's ties with India, he referred to the Prime Minister's remarks, and hoped that all the pending issues with the neighbouring would be resolved.
In response to another question, the State Minister said the overall law and order situations in the country had not deteriorated.
