Humaiun Kobir: PM prioritises Bangladesh’s interests in ties with Japan

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, focused on trade, investment and economic cooperation, according to Foreign Affairs State Minister Humaiun Kobir, who briefed reporters at the Bangladesh Embassy on Tuesday. Kobir said Japan's private sector plans to invest around US$6.34 billion over five years, potentially creating about 200,000 jobs. The two sides discussed expediting the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and a joint ministerial mechanism. Bangladesh sought an additional three years to prepare for LDC graduation, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges and the recent global energy crisis, and urged Japan to consider the request. Japan showed interest in energy, industrial city and infrastructure projects, and Kobir cited Japanese development assistance of 5 billion yen. Kobir said Bangladesh would raise the Rohingya issue in multilateral forums next year and hoped Japan would play a positive role.

Where accounts differ. The Financial Express gives Japan's development assistance as 5 billion yen (about US$34 million), while UNB reports 50 billion yen (about $340 million).

The Financial ExpressUnited News of Bangladesh (UNB)

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