PM Seeks Japan’s Support For Overall Development

Terming Japan as a trusted and time-tested friend of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina today expressed her earnest desire to consolidate the partnership between the two countries.

"We want to build a knowledge-based nation, develop our human resources and undertake massive infrastructural developments where Japan can contribute further," she said.

The Prime Minister, now visiting Japan, was addressing a dinner hosted by her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in her honour at the Prime Minister's official residence here.

Sheikh Hasina said, "We admire Japan for the resilience of its people and nation's phenomenal growth out of the ashes of the Second World War that has made Japan a role model of
development."

"Even when Japan was reeling from one of its worst natural disasters in March 2011, it never deviated from the flow of development assistance to Bangladesh," she recalled.

The two countries' friendship also reflected in all international gatherings where they have cooperated, shared common positions, and supported each other's cause, Bangladesh Prime Minister said.

She sought Japan's support to Bangladesh's demand for inclusion of international migration issue and the security of climate vulnerable countries in the post-2015 UN Development Agenda.

She remembered that during the time of distress of Bangladeshi people in 1971, even the schoolchildren in Japan saved, collected and contributed their pocket money to help Bangladesh. "Our people remember this gesture with deep gratitude, even to this day," she said.

She invited Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Bangladesh, saying, the bilateral relations between the two countries have gained significant momentum. Your visit would energize this momentum to reach our goal, she said, hoping that the visit will be held at a convenient time this year.

She extended her sincere thanks to Shinzo Abe for overwhelming hospitality and courtesies that the Japanese government showed to her and her delegation. The visit to Nippon, "the Land of the Rising Sun" would be among her many memorable visits to Japan, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and Japan enjoy an enviable relationship that stems from the two countries' inherent belief in friendship, mutual support, and peaceful coexistence. The foundation of this relationship was laid at the time of our War of Liberation in 1971 through the unstinting support and the sympathy of Japan and its people, she said.

She said Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman decided to visit Japan at the earliest opportunity in October 1973. After that historic visit, the relations between the two countries were deepened remarkably with Japan becoming our largest development partner and very important source of foreign direct investment for Bangladesh.

Appreciating the leadership of Abe, Sheikh Hasina said Japan continues to move with greater zeal and energy inspired by his bold economic reform initiatives.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)