Japan offers assistance in energy sector

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FE Team | Published: January 29, 2018 00:14:20

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Japan is keen to continue cooperation with Bangladesh in various sectors, including power and energy, reports UNB.
"Prime Minister Sinzo Abe desires to continue cooperation with Bangladesh in various sectors," said visiting Japanese PM's Special Adviser Kentaro Sonoura during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the city.
PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
"We value comprehensive partnership with Bangladesh," Karim quoted Abe's adviser Kentaro Sonoura as saying.
Sonoura said Matarbari 1200 MW Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant is a flagship project on cooperation between the two countries in the power sector.
Matarbari and adjoining Sonadia is also an ideal place for a deep seaport, he said.
Sonoura, however, stressed the need for the preservation of Sonadia for ecological balance of the area.
He thanked the Prime Minister for the security measures taken by the government for the protection of the Japanese and other foreign nationals, working in various development projects in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina welcomed Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
She said Japanese assistance will immensely help achieve the development goals for the economic prosperity of Bangladesh.
Hasina thanked Japan for giving support for implementing the coal-fired power project at Matarbari.
She assured that the government has taken all the measures to give security to all foreign nationals, including the Japanese nationals working in Bangladesh.
PM's advisers Dr Gowher Rizvi and Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Principal Secretary M Nojibur Rahman and Chief Coordinator at the PMO on SDGs Affairs Abul Kalam Azad were present at the meeting.