Dhaka, Tokyo eye multiple MoUs during PM’s Japan visit

Bangladesh and Japan expect to sign more than four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan and issue a joint statement outlining the outcomes and future direction of bilateral cooperation.
 
The proposed documents seek to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernisation.
 
The Prime Minister will undertake the four-day official visit from October 26 to 29 at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi.
 
Preparations are underway on around eight cooperation documents. The final number to be signed, however, will depend on the completion of negotiations between the two sides.
 
“We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit,” Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said.
 
The anticipated joint statement is expected to set out the outcomes of the bilateral talks and priorities for advancing the Bangladesh-Japan strategic partnership.
 
Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury said the proposed agreements could broaden the relationship by connecting Bangladesh’s development priorities with Japan’s industrial experience, technology and institutional expertise.
 
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit offers an important opportunity to give fresh momentum to our longstanding partnership with Japan. The proposed MoUs can create a stronger basis for cooperation in sectors closely linked to production, employment and people’s livelihoods,” he said.
 
Chowdhury said cooperation in agriculture and fisheries should focus on productivity, processing, preservation and quality management, while skills programmes should reflect employers’ needs.
 
“Language teaching and technical training should advance together. Our objective should be to prepare workers for better employment opportunities while also developing the skilled workforce needed by industries in Bangladesh,” he said.
 
He stressed the importance of involving local enterprises in Japanese investment initiatives to extend the benefits to domestic suppliers and smaller businesses.
 
“Alongside large investments, we should encourage partnerships between Japanese medium-sized companies and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. Such cooperation can help our businesses improve production methods, quality control and management,” he said.
 
The former vice-chancellor suggested preparing an implementation plan after the visit, identifying responsible agencies, deadlines and arrangements for reviewing progress.
 
“Signing an MoU is an important beginning. Its lasting value will depend on the investment, jobs, skills and institutional capabilities that follow,” he said.
 
Under the announced programme, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will hold high-level bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Takaichi at her office on October 27. The two leaders will lead their respective delegations in the official talks.
 
The Japanese premier will also host a luncheon in honour of the Bangladesh Prime Minister.
 
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders to discuss investment opportunities and commercial partnerships.
 
His tentative programme includes meetings with the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.
 
Meetings are also being planned with the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).