Japanese assistance for development projects, skills development and energy security discussed

Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday in Japan.

The meeting took place at 5:10pm local time on 26 October. JICA Senior Vice-President Hara Shohei and senior officials of the agency were also present.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled his productive meeting with the JICA President in Dhaka during the latter’s visit to Bangladesh in July 2026. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s longstanding cooperation in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development and JICA’s significant contribution to the country’s progress.

The Prime Minister said Japanese assistance had continued to play an important role in infrastructure development, socio-economic progress and the realisation of Bangladesh’s development aspirations. He emphasised the importance of deepening the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and continuing cooperation with Japan to advance Bangladesh’s development and improve the living standards of its people.

The meeting underscored the importance of completing major development projects being implemented with Japanese assistance within the stipulated time. Discussions also covered expediting the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting approval.

Bangladesh emphasised the need to continue Japanese concessional loans and expand technical cooperation in line with the country’s current development priorities.

The Bangladeshi side also proposed expanding cooperation in several areas, including the Bangladesh–Japan Skills Partnership, the establishment of a Technological Village and Innovation City, agricultural modernisation, agro-processing and light engineering.

In view of the prevailing global energy situation, Bangladesh also requested budgetary support, as provided last year, to meet the country’s energy needs and ensure energy security.

The JICA President reaffirmed his commitment to working together with Bangladesh to achieve prosperity.

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 shared prosperity.

Those present at the meeting on the Bangladeshi side included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology, Rehan Asif Asad; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Foreign Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan; Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiquee; and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon, among other senior officials of the Bangladesh Government.