Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requests Japan for budget support

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has requested Japan to provide financial assistance as before for the implementation of the national budget of Bangladesh.

He made this request at a meeting with Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in Tokyo today, Monday.

Tarique Rahman arrived in Japan this morning on a four-day visit. He is staying at the Hotel Imperial in Tokyo. JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, Senior Vice President Hara Shohei, and other senior officials of the organization paid a courtesy call on him there.

Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said the Prime Minister also called on Japan to continue its cooperation in implementing Bangladesh's development priorities, ensuring energy security, and improving the living standards of the people.

At the meeting, emphasis was placed on continuing concessional loan assistance from Japan in consideration of Bangladesh's current development priorities and expanding technical cooperation.

Shahadat Shadhin said, "Considering the current situation in the global energy sector, a request was made to provide budget support to ensure the country's energy demand and energy security, as in the previous year."

He said that at the meeting, the Bangladesh side put forward proposals to establish a technology and innovation city under the Bangladesh-Japan skills development partnership and to expand cooperation in agricultural modernization, agricultural product processing, and the light engineering sector.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Japan's cooperation in the country's infrastructure development, socio-economic progress, and the realization of development aspirations.

He spoke of further deepening the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and continuing cooperation with Japan for Bangladesh's development and the improvement of people's living standards.

The JICA President reaffirmed the commitment to work together to achieve Bangladesh's prosperity, the Deputy Press Secretary said.

He said the meeting emphasized completing large development projects being implemented with Japan's assistance within the stipulated time. Discussions were also held on expediting the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting approval.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that these initiatives would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and play an important role in achieving the shared prosperity of both countries.

The PM also recalled the fruitful meeting with the JICA President in Dhaka last July. He expressed gratitude for Japan's long-standing cooperation in Bangladesh's socio-economic development and JICA's important contribution.

Those present on Bangladesh's side at the meeting included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister's Advisor on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Foreign Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Shakirul Islam Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Shahriar Kader Siddiky, and Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman.