State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur today urged the Japan Foundation to set up a permanent office in Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He made the call when the Managing Director of Japan Foundation Koike Wakao paid a courtesy call on him at his office here. Representative of the foundation Hari Yuko was present.
The meeting was held at the special invitation of the state minister to explore the possibility of setting up a permanent office of the Japan Foundation in Bangladesh and to enhance bilateral collaboration.
“The relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is very deep and historic. JICA is one of Bangladesh’s key development partners,” the state minister said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to successfully implement the memorandum of understanding on sending skilled workers to Japan.
“The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will provide all necessary support if the Japan Foundation establishes its office in Bangladesh,” he added.
Secretary of the ministry Md. Mokhter Ahmed said direct training by Japanese trainers would help Bangladeshi workers quickly adapt to the working environment in Japan and facilitate the development of skilled human resources, benefiting both countries.
Japan Foundation representative Koike Wakao appreciated Bangladesh’s sincerity and said he would convey the government’s interest in opening an office in Bangladesh to the higher authorities.
Joint Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary Md. Hedayetul Islam Mondol, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
