JICA to continue support to BD\\\'s development

FE Report

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reiterated its commitment to continue support to Bangladesh for the real development of the country.

The officials of JICA also expressed their hope that Bangladesh would be able to overcome the ongoing political uncertainty immediately to maintain its steady economic growth.  

They said this at a reception accorded to the new chief representative of JICA in Bangladesh and farewell ceremony of outgoing representative at a city hotel Saturday.

Foreign Affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Gowher Rizvi spoke at the function as the chief guest. He said the JICA is the only development partner of Bangladesh which does not have any hidden interest except development of the country.

"JICA has been helping Bangladesh relentlessly from the very beginning of the independence. However, many development partners try to achieve some hidden agenda in the name of assistance to the country," he added.

Reiterating the commitment to help Bangladesh, Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima said all the executives of JICA come here to give their best for the development of Bangladesh.

He welcomed the new JICA representative and thanked the outgoing representative for his shining performance here.

Officials informed that the JICA is now implementing about 22 projects here and is supporting various government activities in any difficult situation of the country.

Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the role of Japan in the economy of Bangladesh is much bigger than any other development partner of the country.

"Japan helps Bangladesh from pure heart, it does not put any political agenda in the project like many others," he said.

Mikio Hataeda is taking over JICA in Bangladesh as Dr Takao Toda completed his about 4-year tenure. Mr Hataeda joined the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund in 1988, the then implementing agency of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan. He performed as deputy director general of South Asia Department of JICA from 2011 to 2013. Dr Takao Toda will join the JICA head office in Japan.  

New JICA representative Mikio Hataeda, outgoing representative Dr Takao Toda spoke at the programme with Economic Relations Division (ERD) additional secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Azam in the chair.