Japan signals willingness to increase energy assistance to Bangladesh to $500m

Japan has responded favourably to Bangladesh's request to increase its energy assistance from $312 million to $500 million, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The assurance came during a meeting on Wednesday between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and a Japanese delegation led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomaki at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), along with other senior Japanese officials.

In addition to energy cooperation, the two sides reviewed the progress of several JICA-supported development projects in Bangladesh, including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, MRT lines and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed confidence that the airport's third terminal would be completed on schedule and inaugurated by December.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating negotiations on the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation announced that Japan would provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.

The Rohingya crisis also featured in the discussions, with the prime minister seeking Japan's continued support and a stronger international role in ensuring the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.

The Japanese delegation also invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time.