Bangladesh and Japan on Friday discussed ways to operationalise the long-delayed third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) soon, with both sides expressing optimism about reaching a 'mutually beneficial' solution through negotiations.
The issue was discussed at a bilateral meeting with a Japanese delegation on the operation and maintenance of the terminal held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman presided over the meeting.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority and other senior officials were present.
The Japanese delegation was led by Nakayama Riiko, Assistant Vice Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Officials from both countries discussed several operational and financial aspects of the third terminal and stressed the need for early decisions to make the facility operational.
The discussions were held following instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to expedite efforts to open the new terminal.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Humaiun Kobir and State Minister Millat described the talks as positive and expressed hope that a mutually acceptable solution could be reached soon.
Millat said Bangladesh is seeking a solution that protects the country’s interests while addressing shortcomings in earlier agreements with the Japanese consortium managing the terminal.
He said complications have arisen regarding certain operational issues and charges included in the agreement.
“Civil aviation agreements usually involve three categories of charges, and differences have emerged between the two sides on some of these issues,” he said.
Both sides discussed the matter in detail.
Bangladesh presented its proposals, and the Japanese side also shared their position.
Millat said Japan has agreed to consider Bangladesh’s proposals and submit a revised offer, after which further discussions will take place to finalise the arrangement.
Humaiun Kobir said the government is reviewing the issue with Bangladesh’s national interest as the top priority.
“The discussions are progressing positively, and we hope to see meaningful progress soon,” he said.
The latest meeting comes as the government seeks to restart negotiations with the Japanese consortium to operationalise the terminal, which is more than 99 percent complete but has yet to begin full commercial operations.
