Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said Bangladesh is ready to extend all-out cooperation for the dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.

“Their return would create opportunities to improve their living conditions, including education and healthcare, he said. 

The Prime Minister said this when Japanese Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar Yohei Sasakawa paid a courtesy call on him at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman informed Sasakawa, also chairman of the Nippon Foundation, that Bangladesh was ready to provide necessary cooperation for the rehabilitation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar after their repatriation.

The Prime Minister called for role of Special Envoy Sasakawa in ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas.

The Japanese special envoy said he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with the President of Myanmar and believed that the Myanmar government was sincere in resolving the crisis.

However, he said the repatriation process was taking time due to the prevailing complex situation in Rakhine State.

Sasakawa assured the Prime Minister that he would make utmost efforts from his position to help resolve the crisis.

The Prime Minister said the Rohingya crisis is one of the major crises facing Bangladesh and thanked the Japanese government for standing the country in addressing the issue.

He said Bangladesh, a densely populated country, is hosting a large number of Rohingyas for a prolonged period which have put additional pressure on its economy, infrastructure and overall management.

Sasakawa said he was aware of the burden created by the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and highlighted various grants and humanitarian assistance provided by Japan to support the displaced Myanmar nationals.

The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen multilateral initiatives and international cooperation for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, rather than relying solely on bilateral efforts.

At the outset of the meeting, Sasakawa thanked the Prime Minister for giving him time and recalled the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan.

Sasakawa said he had been working for nearly 50 years to promote peace and reduce disparities in different parts of the world. He also briefed the Prime Minister on his role as the Japanese government’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar.

Thanking Sasakawa for visiting Bangladesh, the Prime Minister appreciated his long standing humanitarian efforts.

Tarique Rahman also sought the Japanese special envoy’s cooperation in establishing a vaccine manufacturing facility in Bangladesh. Sasakawa said he would work sincerely on the matter.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is interested in attracting Japanese investment and that the government is working to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country.

He also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in further improving bilateral relations with Myanmar.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, PM’s adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2 Shama Obaed Islam and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Md Shakirul Islam Khan were present.