'Japan's observer status to add new dimension in Saarc'

Some 500 delegates including 10 from Japan and 30 from Saarc countries will take part in the conference.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan will inaugurate the conference at Hotel Sonargaon.

Vice-chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Prof S M A Faiz will preside over the session.

Japan Study Centre at DU organises the conference with the help of Japanese Embassy.

At a press briefing yesterday Prof Ataur Rahman, director of Japan Study Centre, said the conference will bring some of the best minds of Saarc region and Japan in order to highlight the issues where Japan can work together with Saarc states to advance a common agenda of cooperation.

He said the conference is also aimed to sensitise new awareness of common interests in the emerging regional order and convergence of domestic and regional priorities and needs.

"South Asia needs to forge much more cooperation under the umbrella of Saarc. This realisation was reflected in the 13th Saarc summit in Dhaka when Japan and China were accorded observer status in the Saarc," said Prof Rahman.

" Japan wants to see South Asia more stable and economically developed and managing disasters like flooding, earthquake and tsunami. Energy sector could also be the area of cooperation," he added.

"Japan has a good relation with Bangladesh for long time. Recently it has got the new dimension through our bilateral initiative," said Masami Tamura, counsellor for development cooperation and economic affairs.

"Japan's observer status in Saarc is poised to add a new dimension to our overseas cooperation in the region, which holds tremendous potential," he said, adding that one good international seaport could serve the whole region and Japan is getting involved in this sector.

Abdullah-al-Mamun, lecturer at Japan Study Centre, was also present at the press briefing.