JICA chief to talk security on BD visit

President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Shinichi Kitaoka is coming to Dhaka in the first week of next month to assess security measures taken for the Japanese development personnel in Bangladesh.
The JICA president's visit is very important for the fate of Japan-funded ongoing and future development projects in Bangladesh, officials said on Tuesday.
According to the Japan Embassy in Dhaka, Mr Kitaoka will stay in Dhaka on August 6-7.
He is expected to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and some other senior ministers to know in details about the government's security measures taken after the recent militant attacks.
The Japan government expressed its concerned about the security issue in Bangladesh following the militants' attack at Holey Artisan restaurant in the capital's Gulshan area on July 1.
Seven Japanese consultants and technical personnel of Dhaka metro-rail project were killed in the incident. These seven Japanese nationals - two women and five men - voluntarily offered their expertise for the project.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 3 expressed anger over the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 28 people in total.
"This is deeply regrettable. I am at a loss for words when I think how unfortunate this was for the victims. This is an unforgivable act of terrorism," Mr Abe said.
Japan, Bangladesh's largest bilateral donor, is now bankrolling several development projects, including the country's largest power generation project, first metro-rail construction project, and the largest railway bridge project.
JICA has confirmed nearly US$3.7 billion for Matarbari power plant, $2.12 billion for metro-rail (MRT Line-6), $1.0 billion for Jamuna railway bridge, and $824 million for 2nd Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumti river projects.
Officials said a number of Japanese consultants are now working in several ongoing projects in Bangladesh.
A foreign ministry official said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka has recently requested the ministry to arrange necessary security arrangements as well as to fix the JICA president's appointments with the PM, home minister, finance minister and foreign affairs minister for bilateral discussions.
He said the JICA president will meet the PM and senior ministers separately, where security of the Japanese development personnel will be the top agenda.
A senior official of Economic Relations Division (ERD) told the FE that the government will request the JICA chief for continuing its extended support to Bangladesh, as it is one of the key development partners of the country.
He said the government will also brief him about the security measures taken following the Gulshan cafe attack.
Japan provides nearly US$400 million worth of assistance to Bangladesh every year for developing infrastructure and eradicating poverty.
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