PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan

Syed Safiul Hasan Chisty :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in an official visit to Japan from 25-28 April at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. It is her 6th visit to Japan as prime minister. Earlier she officially visited Japan in 1997, 2010 and 2014. In 2016 she attended lse-Shima Summit and later on in 2019 she attended the 25th international conference on future of Asia.
During her stay in Japan, Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hold few significant sessions. She will be received by the emperor of Japan. She will attend a summit meeting with her Japanese country part Kishida Fumio and then attend a dinner hosted by the Japanese prime minister. Sheikh hasina will present the “Friends of the Liberation War Honour” to a few Japanese nationals.
During her visit a number of agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed between Bangladesh and Japan for the enhancement of their long lasting bonds. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a very significant memory for previous Japan visit, as she received a Doctorate degree from Waseda University in 1997. In 2014 she delivered speech in front of students of this University to the issue “Education for the empowerment of youth”.
Really Japan- Bangladesh relations is more than bilateral relations. It is bilateral ties. Since 1972 Japan became the single largest bilateral donor, Bangladesh became the largest recipient of Japan’s ODA. Few important examples to be noted in construction site by Japanese grant and loans like Meghna-Gomati Bridge, Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge, Chittagong International Airport, the MRT line.
The three major and sensitive project works are almost done. Those are Bangladesh’s first deep seaport construction at Matarbari, modernisation of Hazrat Shahjalal International airport and construction of the third terminal of SEZ at Araihazar.
Obviously Japanese Prime Minister’s invitation to our prime minister has few reasons. It is for further strengthen the friendly relationship to establish strategic comprehensive partnership.
Of course BIG-B will be a key issue for economic development in the area, as it was a dream of Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan. He raised the issue in 2014 and Sheikh Hasina also supported it. The then Foreign minister Fumio Kishida had close touch on the issue and he is now the Prime minister of Japan. He also wants to assist in promotion of value chain concept in the area.
Bangladesh PM can seek support from her counterpart in FTA, Rohingya repatriation process, in agriculture ICT, defense and climate change issues. In climate change area, Japan can train our personals, share their expertise, and transfer related technology in limiting risks as they have a big management on natural disaster.
Bangladesh can seek zero duty entrance for garments and textile products in Japan, or at least reducing the duty, can seek help in Maritime self defense system, to increase export in pharmaceuticals, fish, vegetables and fruit sector.
The two countries can work together for the various concurrent issues of the United Nations, UN peace keeping operations and UN reform. Earlier in 2014 Bangladesh withdrew its candidacy for non permanent membership in the UNSC for Japan. As a citizen of Bangladesh, I hope that this visit will strengthen the heart to heart relationship between these two countries.

(The writer is Secretary for Environmental Affairs, Amra Kojon Mujib Sena).