Fakhrul expresses hope for stronger Bangladesh-JICA partnership

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday described the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as one of Bangladesh's foremost development partners and expressed optimism that bilateral cooperation would continue to deepen in the years ahead.

He praised JICA's substantial contributions to Bangladesh's infrastructure development, local government system, safe water supply and other key public service sectors.

The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with JICA President Dr TANAKA Akihiko at his office at the Secretariat, according to a ministry press release.

The meeting featured extensive discussions on Bangladesh's ongoing and future development initiatives in collaboration with JICA. The two sides also exchanged views on a range of issues, including waste management, water resource management, capacity building in the local government sector and sustainable urban development.

Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh is advancing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, adding that the government is committed to completing development projects efficiently. He said all stakeholders are working together under the Prime Minister's leadership to implement the country's development agenda.

He further noted that the government is coordinating closely with international development partners to build a more modern, effective and citizen-oriented local government system. In this regard, he said, JICA's expertise, technical support and investment would remain vital to Bangladesh's sustainable development.

Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hassan, Director General of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing Md Mahmudul Hasan, and other senior ministry officials attended the meeting.