Bangladesh and Japan sign six agreements to expand cooperation

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Bangladesh and Japan have signed six bilateral instruments and agreed on two loan projects during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to Japan, focusing on coastal security, investment, skills development, agriculture, fisheries and climate change.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir announced the agreements and financing commitments at a press briefing at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday, the third day of the prime minister’s visit. Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon also attended the briefing.

Kobir said the six instruments include four memorandums of cooperation (MoCs), a grant agreement and a letter of intent. Separately, private-sector organisations from the two countries signed 17 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Under the grant agreement, Japan will provide up to 2.12 billion yen, equivalent to $13.44 million, to supply a patrol vessel aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s coastal security capabilities.

Another agreement, between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance, focuses on economic relations and improving the business environment.

The two countries also signed an MoC on agricultural cooperation between Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture.

A separate agreement covers the Employment for Skill Development Programme (ESDP). Another MoC, signed by Japan’s agriculture ministry and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, aims to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and livestock.

The sixth instrument is a letter of intent on climate change cooperation between Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

In addition to the six instruments, Japan pledged two loans to support Bangladesh’s development. These include 15.88 billion yen, or $100.8 million, to improve the investment environment and 30.68 billion yen, or $194.7 million, for the second phase of the Upazila Governance and Development Project.