Japan to double aid for Bangladesh

Shin Sakurai, member of the House of Councillor of Japan and president of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentarians League, said this when he called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) yesterday.

Sakurai said PM's visit to Japan last July further increased interest of Japan in Bangladesh as well as deepened existing excellent relationship and enhanced cooperation in different areas between the two countries.

Terming the visit “fruitful” he said the matters, which were discussed during the bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and Japan during Khaleda Zia's visit, began to be taken up for action.

Sakurai, who visited some parts of Bangladesh, particularly Bhola, said he was impressed to see the riverine country as well as observed problem with river erosion.

As the Prime Minister said many people become shelterless due to river erosion, Sakurai took note of it to see how to help Bangladesh in tackling river-erosion problem.

He said he will discuss the matter at appropriate level in his country.

Khaleda thanked Japan for its leading role in constructing Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge and hoped that it would take initiative to set up Padma bridge as well as carry out feasibility study about introducing underground monorail in Dhaka city to resolve traffic congestion.

The Japanese Member of the House of Councillors assured that he would discuss those back at home.

Khaleda said Japan can import jute from Bangladesh as it is used for car-body manufacture.

As Sakurai said the biggest resource of Bangladesh is its people, Khaleda said her government is carrying out its efforts to transform the huge population into human resource through education and training.

She hoped that Japan would cooperate in this regard.

Sakurai said Japan has taken a long time to reach the present position and Bangladesh can share experiences of development in Japan.

He appreciated the progress in various socio-economic sectors, particularly success in maintaining law and order, under the leadership of Khaleda.

Khaleda conveyed greetings to her Japanese counterpart through Sakurai and invited the

Japanese Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.

Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Matsushiro Horiguchi was present.