Bangladesh and Japan on Saturday reiterated their resolve to widen bilateral relationship under the framework of ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ ensuring mutual benefit through active engagement on bilateral, regional, international and multilateral issues.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe reached an agreement to that end at a summit meeting.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed that the two countries shared a view on the direction of economic cooperation to be pursued under the initiative of the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) and the need for strengthening collaboration and cooperation in project formulation and implementation through policy dialogue.
They shared their intention to carry out cooperation in the areas of transport network improvement, stable power supply, urban development such as economic zone development, and private sector development such as financial accessibility promotion.
While noting the three pillars of the BIG-B initiative —developing economic infrastructure, improving investment environment, and fostering connectivity —the two Prime Ministers also shared expectation that BIG-B initiative, with the maximum use of Japan's advanced technologies, such as high efficient coal-fired power generation, would contribute to mutual benefits and prosperity of both countries.
The Japanese Prime Minister emphasized that location, competitive incentives, improvement of infrastructure and labor supply are critical factors for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to ensure larger scale Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina noted that the visit of Abe had infused renewed momentum to the existing excellent bilateral relations.
The two Prime Ministers also noted with satisfaction that Japan and Bangladesh had developed a strong and mutually beneficial partnership at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels and were working closely for fostering greater regional cooperation for the socio-economic development, peace and stability in South Asia.
Hasina applauded Japan's outstanding achievement in socio-economic development under the leadership of Abe and also noted with appreciation Japan's valuable contribution in socio-economic and infra structure development in South Asia.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic and visionary leadership in guiding Bangladesh towards becoming a Middle Income Country by 2021 and in promoting peace, stability and progress at regional and global level.
He further reaffirmed that Japan would remain a trusted friend and partner of Bangladesh in achieving these goals.
Economic Cooperation
The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the imperative and benefits of regular bilateral consultations that would afford to review and seek ways for expanding and deepening bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Abe stressed the need for improving services rendered by Bangladesh's foreign investment regulatory authorities and making serious effort to ensure stable supply of primary energy and power to industries.
In this context, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed relevant authorities to address these issues as soon as possible.
Hasina thanked Abe for his intention towards further promoting bilateral trade and investment, expressing her hope that Japan's import from and investment in Bangladesh would be increased.
She appreciated Japan's continuing support to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
In this context, she deeply appreciated reiteration by Abe of his commitment made in May to provide up to 600 billion Yen of additional assistance, mainly Yen loans, to Bangladesh in about 4 or 5 years from 2014.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close cooperation to implement Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism (BOCM) in order to promote investment in low carbon technologies, particularly adaptive to the changing needs of and challenges in Bangladesh.
The two Prime Ministers also shared the view that it is important to make an effort to utilize highly efficient coal-fired power generation technology for energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to share such a view in international foray.
They recognized the importance of establishing food value chain from farmers to consumers by making beneficial investments in Bangladesh, including through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
They emphasized having stronger agricultural cooperation between the two countries, which would promote the improvement of food productivity, crop diversification and the development of the agricultural infrastructure.
The two premiers also shared their views that marine resources should be utilized in a sustainable manner based on scientific evidence, and expressed their intention to work together for promoting the idea of Blue Economy.
Peace and Security
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apprised that her government maintains a 'zero-tolerance' approach to all forms of terrorism, financing of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as remains firm in their resolve not to allow any terrorist individual or entity to use Bangladesh territory against its neighbours and others.
Expressing her satisfaction at the existing bilateral cooperation on counter terrorism, Hasina expressed her intention to add further depth and dimension to Bangladesh's cooperation with Japan to combat the scourge of terrorism and financing of terrorism as well as to work on future cooperation about trans-national crime issues.
Expressing their deep concern over the death of innocent civilians, including women and children, and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Abe welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between the parties in the aftermath of latest offensive.
They both underscored the need for renewed efforts by the concerned international actors to resume the Middle East Peace Process for ensuring durable peace and security in the region.
They also expressed their unequivocal support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian People to establish a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine.
Cooperation on Cultural Issues
The two Leaders appreciated the importance of promoting cultural harmony, maintaining diversity and richness of different cultures, and of promoting dialogue and mutual learning among cultures with a view to sharing the progress of human civilization.
They thus shared the view to deepen cultural and educational ties between the two countries through cultural and educational exchange programmes for promoting greater understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
In this regard, the two Prime Ministers highly appreciated and expressed their intention to further strengthen research activities conducted by "Japan Study Center" of University of Dhaka.
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