Japan has announced that it will extend an additional $6 billion credit line for Bangladesh for socio-economic development in next four-five years.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told bdnews24.com that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the pledge during a meeting with her on Monday, the second day of her visit to the far-eastern country.
The prime minister’s special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil also said several ministers of the two countries attended the meeting.
Hasina is on a four-day visit to Japan.
Shakil said Hasina sought cooperation from Japan in different projects including building of Ganges barrage, multi-purpose tunnel under the Jamuna River, rail-bridge parallel to the Bangabandhu Bridge and Dhaka eastern bypass and recovery of four rivers in Dhaka.
Abe pledged to send an economic mission to Bangladesh for extending the cooperation.
Shakil said the two prime ministers announced that the bilateral relations would be deepened and developed to the ‘overall relation of partnership’.
The Japanese leader expressed his country’s willingness to continue cooperation to Bangladesh for its social and economic development.
He promised to consider easing procedures for import of knitwear from Bangladesh.
The two leaders agreed to keep 40 plots in five export processing zones in Bangladesh and two industrial buildings reserved for Japanese investors and businesspeople.
After the official meeting, foreign ministers of the two countries signed the exchange note of an ODA (official development assistance) loan package in presence of the prime ministers.
Under the package, Japan will give Bangladesh 120 billion yen (around $1.18 billion) on easy condition to build a 1,200-megawatt power plant.
The two leaders signed a joint communiqué after the meeting.
Later at night, Abe hosted a banquet in honour of Hasina.
Earlier, the Bangladesh prime minister was given a red carpet reception and guard of honour at state guest house, Akasaka Palace.
Hasina made a courtesy call on Japanese Emperor Akihito at noon.
Shakil said during her meeting with the emperor, she highlighted the success of her government’s poverty alleviation programme and land allotment among the landless.
The prime minister invited Akihito to Bangladesh.
Source: UNBConnect