PM Hasina to visit Japan, US, and UK

Diplomatic Correspondent  :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is embarking on a marathon of official tri-nation visits to Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from April 25 to May 8, aiming at strengthening Bangladesh’s ties in various fields with these countries, and solidifying the future relations with them.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen flanked by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Director General of Public Diplomacy Wing Seheli Sabrin said this during a curtain raiser at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
Upon the invitation of the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Sheikh Hasina will be visiting Japan on 25-28 April 2023 when there is a possibility of signing around eight agreements or memorandums of cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrading, ship recycling,
customs matters, intellectual property, defense co-operation, ICT and cyber security, Momen said.
During the visit, Prime Minister will flanked by her sister Rehana, Foreign Minister, Agriculture Minister, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology, as well as other high-level government officials.
Upon her arrival in Tokyo on Tuesday, she will be provided a guard and the following day she will have a courtesy call with Emperor Naruhito. On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in an official bilateral meeting between with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at the residence of Japan’s Prime Minister.
On April 27, Sheikh Hasina will deliver a speech as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Investment Conference jointly organised by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and JETRO, at a hotel in Tokyo.
She will award “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to four Japanese nationals for their special contribution to the Liberation War. In the evening of the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in a citizen dialogue organised by the Bangladeshi community in Japan.
During her visit to Japan, the Prime Minister will participate in several bilateral meetings, including with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, JICA, JETRO, JBIC, JBPFL, and JBCCEC leaders, pay a visit to the late Shinzo Abe’s widow Akie Abe, and meet with a Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Additionally, an interview with the Prime Minister will be broadcast on Japan’s national TV channel NHK
Dr Momen said, “We are hopeful that the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to Japan will create opportunities for discussions on the importance of achieving Strategic Partnership between the two countries.”
After Japan, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 29.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s partnership with the World Bank, Sheikh Hasina will head to the United States, where she will attend a seminar at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC on May 1, at the invitation of World Bank President David Malpass.
The event will highlight Bangladesh’s development journey and the World Bank’s programs in Bangladesh over the past five decades. In addition, a multimedia presentation titled “Bangladesh – World Bank 50 years of Partnership” will be organised, showcasing Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and artistic creations alongside its partnership with the World Bank.
It should be noted that on the same day, there will be a board of directors’ meeting of the World Bank with the Prime Minister.
On May 2, the top officials of the US-Bangladesh Business Council will hold a meeting with the Prime Minister. Afterwards, the President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne P. Clark, will have the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister. On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in a high-level executive meeting with a delegation of US business representatives, at the invitation of Nisha Biswal, President of the US Bangladesh Business Council, and deliver a speech as the keynote speaker.
In the evening, the Prime Minister will give an interview to the newspaper the “Economist”. Following this, as the chief guest, she will attend a community event organised by the Bangladeshi expatriate community in the United States.
In addition, there is a courtesy call between Prime Minister and the next President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga. The Prime Minister will leave Washington DC on May 4.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the United Kingdom will be the final leg of her tour to attend the coronation ceremony of Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.
Bangladesh has been invited to participate in the coronation ceremony, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will represent Bangladesh at the ceremony.
Momen said, “It is expected that representatives of around 130 countries, including heads of state or government from Commonwealth member countries, will participate in the coronation ceremony of British monarchy after 70 years.”
It is hoped that during this visit, the Prime Minister will have the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and several ministers from the United Kingdom.
Apart from this, Prime Minister will also participate in a civic reception at a hotel in London and exchange views with Bangladeshi and British Bangladeshi citizens residing in the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister will leave London for Dhaka on May 8.