Japan keen to provide long-term cooperation to Bangladesh: Envoy

Publish: 8:53 PM, September 15, 2019 | Update: 8:53 PM, September 15, 2019

DHAKA, – Outgoing Japanese ambassador Hiroyasu Izumi today said his country is keen to provide long-term cooperation for Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development.

The envoy said this when he called on President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening.

“The development potential of Bangladesh is very bright . . . Japan is keen to provide necessary cooperation to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development on long-term basis,” the Japanese envoy told the President during the meeting.

President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin later briefed the reporters.

Izumi expressed his gratitude to the President and the Bangladesh government for providing all necessary supports to him during his stay here.

Thanking the envoy for successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh, the President said Japan recognized Bangladesh right after its independence in February 1972 and since then it has been nurturing bilateral friendship.

Subsequently, the bilateral ties got a new height after the historic maiden visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1973, he added.

President Hamid said Japan contributed a lot to rebuild the war-ravaged country and consequently it became a development partner of Bangladesh.

“Japanese investment in many fields has accelerated the development in socio-economic sectors here,” the head of the state mentioned. He hoped that this trend would continue in the days to come.

Referring to the exchange of high-level visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Shizo Abe, the President said it helped the bilateral ties reach a new height.

Secretaries and high officials concerned of Bangabhaban and foreign ministry were present on the occasion.