Dhaka: Visiting Minister in charge of Economic Revitalisation of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday said his country will continue to support Bangladesh in key development arenas, showing interest to invest in the IT sector of Bangladesh.

Toshimitsu Motegi came up with the assurance when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. 

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting, reports the UNB.

The Japanese minister said Japan has been a great partner since the independence of Bangladesh and the relations between Japan and Bangladesh are complementary to each other.

He congratulated Sheikh Hasina on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third consecutive term through a participatory election. “It was a participatory election,” the Press Secretary quoted the Japanese minister as saying.

Motegi expressed his conviction that the relations between Bangladesh and Japan will be stronger during the current tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Welcoming the Japanese minister in Bangladesh, Hasina recalled Japan’s contributions to Bangladesh’s economic development.

Describing Japan as an old friend of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said Japan is providing support to various development sectors, particularly constructing the Rupsha Bridge, metro rail and other projects.

Terming Japan a development model for Bangladesh, Hasina said her government wants to develop every village as a township with urban facilities.

The Prime Minister said Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded the relations with Japan.

Hasina proposed Japan to provide support to the training programmes in IT parks and deep-sea fishing.  

She urged for hiring trained homecare nurses from Bangladesh and the Japanese minister responded positively.

Hasina reiterated her government’s steadfast stance against terrorism saying Bangladesh has adopted ‘zero tolerance’ to terrorism and militancy.

The Japanese minister shared the experience with the Prime Minister on his visit to Bangabandhu Museum saying he was overwhelmed seeing different memories and documents on the life of Father of the Nation.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman were present.