PM Seeks Japan’s Help to Build Technology, Innovation Hubs

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday sought Japan’s cooperation in establishing a Technological Village and an Innovation City in Bangladesh, alongside expanding collaboration in agricultural modernisation, agro-processing and light engineering.

He made the request during a meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo at 5:10pm local time, according to PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

The prime minister also sought JICA’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development priorities, including infrastructure development and energy security.

During the meeting, Bangladesh proposed expanding cooperation in skills development under the Bangladesh-Japan Skills Partnership.

It also stressed the need to continue receiving concessional loans from Japan and expand technical cooperation in line with the country’s current development priorities, Shadhin said.

In view of the global energy situation, Bangladesh requested budget support similar to that provided last year to help meet its energy needs and strengthen energy security.

The prime minister recalled his meeting with the JICA president in Dhaka during Tanaka’s visit to Bangladesh in July and expressed gratitude for Japan’s longstanding cooperation and JICA’s significant contribution to the country’s socioeconomic development.

He said Japan’s support had played an important role in developing Bangladesh’s infrastructure, advancing socioeconomic progress and helping realise its development aspirations.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to deepen the longstanding friendship between the two countries and continue cooperation to promote Bangladesh’s development and improve people’s living standards.

The two sides also emphasised completing major Japan-supported development projects within their scheduled timeframes. They discussed expediting the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting approval.

JICA President Tanaka reaffirmed his commitment to working together to help Bangladesh achieve prosperity.

The prime minister expressed hope that the proposed initiatives would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and contribute to the shared prosperity of the two countries.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, PM’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, ICT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon attended the meeting.

JICA Senior Vice-President Hara Shohei and other senior officials of the agency were also present.