Trade in focus as BD-Japan FOC today

Foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and Japan sit here today (Thursday) for the first foreign office consultation (FOC) aiming to take the friendly bilateral relationship between the two countries to a new height.
Officials said Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque would lead the Bangladesh side and Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama the Japanese side during the daylong meeting.
Representatives of different ministries including the Prime Minister's Office and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) will also attend the meeting from the Bangladesh side.
The Japanese Deputy Minister, who arrived here Wednesday night along with two other Japanese foreign ministry officials, will be accompanied by some officials of the Japanese Embassy in the meeting. Ambassadors of both the countries will also be there.
The officials said the first-ever FOC between Bangladesh and Japan would give the official-level talks an institutional shape and review the progress of the joint statements signed between the prime ministers of the two countries during their visits in May and September last.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Masud Bin Momen told the FE that the first FOC would help find out the areas of cooperation based on the joint statements signed between the two prime ministers.
Several events have taken place since the visits of the two prime ministers took place. These include Joint Bangladesh-Japan Public-Private Economic Dialogue", "Bangladesh-Japan Business Forum", "Japan-Bangladesh Expert Dialogue on Peaceful and Safe Uses of Nuclear Energy" and international workshop on blue economy.
According to sources, the Bangladesh side is likely to raise all related issues including the access to Japanese market for the Bangladeshi readymade garments. Some new areas of cooperation including agriculture and disaster management may also come up for discussion.
The officials said the Japanese side might focus on development of comprehensive partnership in improving the investment environment for Japanese companies and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).
The first FOC is being organised as both Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Japan agreed to hold regular foreign secretary-level consultations during their mutual visit.
The officials said both the side might agree to hold the FOC every year from now on and sign a statement in this regard.
The Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister during his two-day visit is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Prime Minister's Adviser on International Affairs Dr. Gowher Rizvi and Senior Secretary of Prime Minister's Office Md. Abul Kalam Azad.
The "comprehensive partnership" launched by the two countries has been based on the shared values of peace, democracy, human rights and rule of law.
    smunima@yahoo.com