Tokyo:Bangladesh and Japan have highlighted the importance of strengthening their economic relations and expanding cooperation in alternative financing beyond traditional foreign direct investment (FDI) during a bilateral meeting in Tokyo.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussions took place between Bangladesh Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama at the Japanese Finance Minister's office. The Vice Minister of Finance for International Trade, Atsushi Mimura, was also present at the meeting.
The meeting focused on ways to deepen bilateral economic and development cooperation, aiming to elevate the longstanding partnership between the two nations. Key topics included Bangladesh's infrastructure development, the expansion of bilateral trade, and increasing economic cooperation through alternative financing mechanisms beyond conventional FDI.
Both countries agreed on the necessity for effective initiatives to invigorate the existing economic ties and explore new sectors for cooperation. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Investment and Capital Market Tanvir Gani and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Shakirul Islam Khan attended the meeting, along with senior officials from both countries.
Japan is recognized as one of Bangladesh's major development partners, with Japanese financing supporting various significant infrastructure and social development projects in Bangladesh. The meeting is expected to further boost bilateral efforts to expand economic cooperation and explore alternative financing sources for Bangladesh's development needs.