Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says she wants to turn Bangladesh into another Japan saying a new era with hope and harmony has begun in the East Asian country.
“Japan was always close to my heart. This was transmitted to me from my father. I share his aspiration to transform my country to be another Japan,” she wrote in an article on The Japan Times ahead of her talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slated for Wednesday (May 29).
As part of her tri-nation visit, Hasina arrived reached Tokyo on Tuesday (May 28) on a four-day official visit to attend the Nikkei international conference on the Future of Asia.
The two countries are expected to sign $2.5 billion official development assistance (ODA)during the visit.
In the article titled ‘Japan-Bangladesh partnership for development’, Hasina said that Bangladesh’s friendship with the country was “tested” in the terror attack in Dhaka in July 2016, which led to the tragic death of seven Japanese nationals.
“It was during that moment of national anguish and mourning that yet again, the Japanese people and government stood by us and reassured us of Japan’s continued support to Bangladesh’s development,” she said. “Japan and Bangladesh are resolved to fight terrorism and extremism together.”
Touching on the historical background to the bilateral relations, the prime minister wrote, “Saving money from their meals, Japanese students stood beside us during our liberation war. Japan was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh on Feb. 10, 1972.”
“Our father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, used to say the Japanese flag reminds him of the land of the rising sun and ours recalls the independence gained by sacrificing millions of lives and our green field.”
“He inspired us to follow the Japanese transition process from agrarian to industrialisation, focusing on farm mechanisation,” Hasina said, referring to the strong foundation of bilateral relations laid by Bangabandhu through his historic visit in October 1973.
The two countries will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, she said. “I’m confident that with our shared values and commitment to promoting peace and development, we shall ensure prosperity for our peoples. Our twin flags are a reminder of the umbilical ties that bind us together.”
Highlighting the ongoing infrastructure development schemes by her administration to ensure energy security, food security and a better standard of living for people, and said Bangladesh offers “the most liberal and congenial investment regime in South Asia”.
“Based on the success of “Vision 2021,” we now aspire to become a developed country by 2041. Transforming our young generation into valuable human resources for the global supply chain will be a key component to realising this target.”
“We have planned to set up 100 special economic zones, including one for Japanese investors. Japan and Bangladesh have always enjoyed a close relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation.”
Presently, 280 Japanese firms are operating in Bangladesh, a 10-fold increase over the last decade. Different surveys conducted by Japanese institutions revealed that the confidence of Japanese-affiliated firms in doing business in Bangladesh is “improving”, the prime minister wrote.
“We believe our time-tested friend Japan and its people will be with us on our transformative journey to development and prosperity,” reads the article.