$23.5m Japanese aid to enhance airport safety in Bangladesh

Japan will extend grant aid of approximately US$ 23.5 million for the improvement of airport safety and security systems of Bangladesh.

Under the project, the grant will be used to install air safety and security facilities such as new primary/secondary surveillance radar, doppler VOR/DME and baggage inspection system in four airports namely Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore and Saidpur in 22 months.

Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh Shiro Sadoshima and Secretary of Economic Relations Division Mohammad Mejbahuddin signed an Exchange of Note on behalf of their respective governments Monday. Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Mikio Hataeda and Mohammad Mejbahuddin signed the grant agreement.

According to the Japanese Embassy, the demand for safe and reliable civil aviation has increased in the country's international airports with over 100,000 aircraft flying every year.

The grant will be used in order to upgrade the air navigation system and to enhance safety of take-off and landing, complying with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards.

Japan has so far supported Bangladesh through ODA loan for the improvement of Chittagong airport which was completed in 2001. It has provided several assistances for capacity building for aviation staffs.

Japan has accumulated a lot of experiences on supporting aviation control in high density flights as well as development of functional infrastructure for aviation users, through providing similar cooperation to Nepal and Myanmar recently.

Updated CNS (Control, Navigation and Surveillance) provided by Japan will be executed to contribute to not only safe flight and to reduce the fuel consumption, but also to improve the reliability of navigation and inspection system, which will eventually contribute to development of logistics and tourism industry.