Japan-Bangladesh Relations
Visit of Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA to the People's Republic of Bangladesh
From July 1 to 4, Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The following is the summary of his visit.
1. Meetings with dignitaries of the Government of Bangladesh
(1) Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister
On July 1, Mr. SHIMADA paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
Mr. SHIMADA emphasized the importance of initiatives to further promote bilateral relations under the “Strategic Partnership” between the two countries, including in the areas of economy and security. With regard to the terrorist attack in Dhaka 10 years ago, he has once again made request to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the country.
Prime Minister Rahman, in addition to his gratitude for all the Japan’s cooperation as a development partner since Bangladesh’ s independence, expressed his appreciation for Japan’s provision of yen loan to Bangladesh in June as part of the POWERR Asia initiative, as well as for the provision of the patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy through OSA (Official Security Assistance) program, and his expectation to further promote the cordial relations and concrete cooperation between the two governments.
(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman and H.E. Ms. Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
H.E. Ms. Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh
On the same day, Mr. SHIMADA held meetings with H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and H.E. Ms. Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
Mr. SHIMADA stated that he is committed to further developing the bilateral relations with Bangladesh under the “Strategic Partnership” between the two countries and making further progress toward the realization of the updated “Free and Open Indo Pacific(FOIP)”.
In response, Foreign Minister Khalilur and State Minister Shama welcomed Mr. SHIMADA's visit to Bangladesh and expressed their gratitude for Japan’s consistent cooperation in Bangladesh’s nation-building efforts since its independence. They expressed their willingness to work closely with Japan to further strengthen the bilateral relations.
2. Attendance at the Memorial Ceremony for the Japanese victims of the Terrorist Attack in Dhaka in July 2016
On July 2, Mr. SHIMADA attended a memorial ceremony for the Japanese victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Dhaka in July 2016.On behalf of the Government of Japan, he delivered a condolence address and laid flowers at the memorial monument.
3. Attendance at the Handover Ceremony for the OSA Project
On July 2, Mr. SHIMADA attended a handover ceremony for the FY2023 OSA project in Chattogram. At the ceremony, five patrol boats were handed over to the Bangladesh Navy.
4. Others
(1) Visit to Dhaka MRT Line 6
On July 1, Mr. SHIMADA inspected MRT Line 6 in Dhaka, Japan’s yen loan project.
(2) Visit to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital
On July 3, Mr. SHIMADA visited Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, Japan’s yen loan project, and undertook the inspection of the facility. In the hospital, he also observed nursing staff training program conducted as part of Japan’s technical cooperation.
(3) Exchange of views with Japanese nationals in Bangladesh
On July 1, Mr. SHIMADA exchanged views with representatives of Japanese companies stationed in Dhaka. They exchanged views on the current state of business operations and challenges in Bangladesh.