TBM Report
Bangladesh has urged Japan to extend its continued support and cooperation in expanding bilateral trade and investment, alongside promoting renewable energy and sustainable development initiatives.
The call came during the 7th Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held at the state guest house in Dhaka on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam led the Bangladesh delegation, while Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister NAMAZU Hiroyuki headed the Japanese side, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Secretary Siam highlighted the steady advancement of bilateral relations over the decades and expressed optimism about further deepening the Bangladesh-Japan Strategic Partnership. He noted that the upcoming Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is expected to significantly boost Japanese investments in Bangladesh. Siam also acknowledged Tokyo’s continuous support under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, particularly for mega projects such as the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Dhaka Metro Rail, and the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Both delegations highlighted the need to strengthen people-to-people ties by broadening opportunities for Bangladeshi Specified Skilled Workers in Japan, alongside expanding educational, cultural, and civil society exchange programs.
Addressing the regional humanitarian challenge, the Foreign Secretary underscored the severe socio-economic burden Bangladesh faces by hosting over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. He reiterated Dhaka’s principled stance that a safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the only lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis, while thanking Japan for its sustained humanitarian assistance.
Senior Deputy Minister NAMAZU Hiroyuki recalled the enduring foundation of Bangladesh-Japan friendship laid by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He briefed the Bangladeshi delegation on Japan’s vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to ongoing cooperation under the EPA, BIG-B initiative, and Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, welcoming the recent delivery of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.
During the talks, the Japanese envoy conveyed Prime Minister Takaichi’s invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time. He also extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman in his capacity as the President of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to visit Tokyo. Bangladesh reciprocated by inviting Prime Minister Takaichi to pay an official visit to Dhaka. The next round of consultations will take place in Tokyo in 2027.
