John Milton had observed a few centuries ago that 'discussion was knowledge in the making'. This axiom is particularly true with regard to international relations - both in the bilateral as well as multilateral context. Official discussions enable two countries to identify their areas of common approach towards the resolution of challenges that might exist within their mutual paradigm.
It was this realisation that created the special denotation pertaining to the recent official visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan from May 25-28. It may be recalled that she had earlier undertaken two other official visits to that country as Prime Minister in 1997 and 2010. This latest visit enabled Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his counterpart to discuss the long-standing relations between the two countries based on shared values of peace, democracy, human rights and rule of law. This subsequently led to the two Prime Ministers affirming their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation by elevating the friendly relationship to a new partnership.
Japan has been a steadfast development partner of Bangladesh since that country recognised Bangladesh in February 1972. The foundation of our friendly relations was further strengthened through the official visit to Japan in October 1973 by Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This time round, both leaders stressed on their shared quest for global peace and stability and agreed to strengthen policy dialogue so as to deepen their cooperation in the context of evolving global security environment. For this purpose, they also endorsed the launch of regular bilateral dialogue at the level of Foreign Secretary. The Bangladesh side welcomed Japan's increasing efforts to contribute actively in securing regional and global peace, stability and prosperity, and expressed its support and appreciation for Japan's policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation. In this context both sides underscored the importance of the freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight over the high seas and civil aviation safety, protection, promotion and development of marine natural resources, renewable energy, oceanographic research, shipping and tourism. They shared the view that international disputes and issues should be resolved peacefully on the basis of relevant international law.
Bangladesh's contribution towards fostering international peace and security through peacekeeping was especially appreciated by Japan and assurance was given that it would share its experience in the establishment of a Peace Building Centre in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh made a significant observation by sharing the humanitarian concerns of the international community over the continued development of nuclear and missile programmes by the Democratic People's Republioc of Korea (DPRH), including recent ballistic missile launches, and strongly urged the DPRK to fully comply with its obligations under all the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and its commitments under the 2005 Six-Party Talks Joint Statement.
The two countries had serious discussions on how to accelerate economic development and reduce poverty in Bangladesh. In this context, after taking into consideration the 120-billion-yen loan package recently agreed upon between the two countries, both sides discussed on how to promote wider regional development, including fostering regional connectivity, developing economic infrastructure for industrial growth and improving investment environment to attract foreign businesses, including from Japan. Bangladesh at this point drew the attention of Japan to further consideration of a range of specific projects -construction of Ganges Barrage, multi-modal tunnel under river Jamuna, dedicated Railway Bridge over river Jamuna, multi-modal Dhaka Eastern Bypass and ecological restoration of four rivers around Dhaka. Apparently, Japan agreed in principle to consider the ramifications of such involvement.
After the conclusion of the talks, Abe, recognising the great economic potential of Bangladesh, announced that Japan would extend economic cooperation amounting to 600 billion Yen ($5.9 billion) over the next four to five years. The economic aid will apparently be given through the implementation of the concept of the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt as envisaged by Japan.
It would be important at this stage to refer to another aspect that figured in the discussion - strengthening the capability of Bangladesh to face various challenges in the areas of climate change and disaster risk reduction. Japan agreed in principle to consider Bangladesh's request and cooperate on transfer of environment-friendly technology required for adaptation, disaster risk reduction, mitigation and Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism.
The two countries decided to further expand bilateral trade. In this regard, Japan assured Bangladesh that a review would be carried out of the existing rules of origin of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for knitted articles (Chapter 61 of the HS). It was felt that this challenge needed to be re-examined. Within this parameter, Japan correctly reiterated the urgency of an improvement of investment environment in Bangladesh, including infrastructure development, stable energy supply, development of industrial park(s) and accelerated processing of permits, licenses, etc. in order to further facilitate and promote Japanese investment in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Prime Minister acknowledged that the issues existed and had to be solved expeditiously.
Subsequently a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). This is expected to advance the desired process. It may also be added here that the two Prime Ministers expressed their expectation for the development on Information Technology and related industry in Bangladesh with the support of the government and involvement of the private sector. Hope was also expressed about the possibility of Japanese investment in textiles, leather, ceramics, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, ship-building, agro-based industries, light engineering and electronics. It was reiterated in this regard that Bangladesh is offering liberal investment opportunities that allows 100 per cent foreign equity with unrestricted exit policy, easy remittance of royalty, repatriation of profits, protection of foreign investment and comparatively steady energy pricing.
The next significant point that received special attention in the talks was the importance of strengthening energy cooperation, including in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as stable energy supply for economic development. Prime Minister Hasina sought Japan's cooperation for capacity building in nuclear safety and security. In this regard, the two Prime Ministers decided to launch a new dialogue between experts on peaceful and safe uses of nuclear energy in Bangladesh in which Japan will share the experience and lessons learned from the accident at Japan's TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Prime Minister Hasina expressed her hope that Japan would examine the possibility to cooperate with Bangladesh for a nuclear power plant project in future.
This interest in scientific areas included a discussion on the possible introduction of Japan's high-level medical expertise and technology towards the development of medical and health sector in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Abe particularly expressed his commitment to Japan's continued cooperation for Bangladeshi medical human resource development including accepting Bangladeshi young doctors under Japanese Government Scholarship to receive Advanced Clinical Training in Japan and to obtain medical PhD. This was indeed a significant achievement. It is understood that the two sides agreed in principle to examine the possibility of building a specialised hospital in Bangladesh, introducing Japanese medical technologies and the establishment of an ultrasound training centre.
Last but not least, the two countries agreed to promote cultural and people to people exchange. This was done out of the belief that Japanese language education in Bangladesh, people-to-people interaction and cultural exchanges between the two countries would be a positive factor for deepening friendship and promoting understanding. In this context, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, as a symbolical gesture towards the promotion of bilateral ties, expressed her intention to transfer a pair of Royal Bengal Tigers to Japan so that Japanese people, especially school children, can savour the cultural symbol of Bangladesh.
The last visit of a Japanese Prime Minister to Bangladesh was in 2000. One can only hope that after this latest visit of Sheikh Hasina the Japanese Prime Minister will visit Dhaka as soon as possible and help to carry the bilateral process of friendship even further.
Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. mzamir@dhaka.net
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