PM likely to visit Japan in April
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Japan visit, which was postponed in November last year, is likely to take place early April.
The visit was discussed when newly appointed Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori paid a courtesy call on her at the Gono Bhaban yesterday.
PM's speechwriter M Nazrul Islam said this while briefing reporters on the meeting, reports UNB.
Kiminori also discussed the matter with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in a meeting with him on Tuesday.
Japan wants the prime minister to make her trip in late March or early April during the season of cherry blossoms, a foreign ministry official told The Daily Star yesterday.
He said Dhaka is considering early April as many events take place in Bangladesh in the month of independence, March.
As the visit was cancelled in November, both Dhaka and Tokyo want to make it happen at the soonest. The new Japanese ambassador also said finalising of the PM's visit is his first job.
Hasina was scheduled to visit Japan from November 29 to December 1 last year, but it was later put on hold.
Bangladesh and Japan expect to elevate bilateral relations to "Strategic Partnership" level from "comprehensive partnership" level during the visit.
During his meeting with the PM, Kiminori said Japan and Bangladesh share a longstanding bond. He assured that he would work to take it to the next level.
Nazrul said Japan will extend all-out cooperation towards Bangladesh to materialise its aspiration of becoming a developed country by 2041.
The Japanese envoy said he would work to strengthen the existing Japan-Bangladesh framework for enhancing bilateral trade and commerce.
"I will work to bring more Japanese investments to Bangladesh and strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries," he said.
Regarding the Rohingya repatriation issue, Kiminori said Japan through bilateral and ASEAN forums will pursue it.
He added that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is working with UNHCR to intensify the humanitarian programme in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Some Japanese NGOs are also working in those areas, the envoy said.
Hasina thanked Japan for their cooperation in constructing the Metro Rail and sought cooperation for other metro rail lines.
She sought Japanese investments in Sabrang Tourism Special Economic Zone, which will be dedicated only for foreign tourists.
The premier assured that a Japanese company will manage the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.