Dhaka: Japan will provide five patrol vessels to Bangladesh to aid in the protection of its coastal areas. This development was announced during a courtesy call by the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, SAIDA Shinichi, on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, the Japanese Ambassador also expressed Japan’s willingness to sign an agreement to provide equipment for air pollution monitoring in Bangladesh. He reiterated Japan’s strong support for the Bangladesh interim government and mentioned that an upcoming Parliamentary Vice Minister-level visit would officially convey this political backing.
The Ambassador emphasized the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) soon and encouraged regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and Bangladesh and informed that the JICA Chief is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in March this year.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support of the interim government and acknowledged Japan as Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner. He recognized Japan’s significant contributions to major development initiatives in Bangladesh and assured that Japanese investments in the country would always be secure.
The Adviser also expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued efforts toward a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingyas to Myanmar’s Rakhine State. He valued Japan’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, including those relocated to Bhashan Char, and highlighted the additional pressure recent developments in Rakhine State have placed on Bangladesh. He sought Japanese support for an upcoming conference on the Rohingya crisis, to be organized by Bangladesh in Doha in collaboration with the United Nations.
Both parties discussed bilateral collaboration and mutual support in election matters in international forums. The Foreign Adviser expressed optimism that the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan would reach new heights during his tenure.