United News of Bangladesh

Japanese Prime Minister’s special envoy and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister SUZUKI Norikazu on Wednesday expressed his country’s interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in technology and agriculture sectors. During a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office in the afternoon, he also stressed the need to effectively advance the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, said a PMO release. The Japanese minister, who is leading a high-level delegation, also invited the Prime Minister, on behalf of Japan, to visit their country. In response, the Prime Minister expressed hope of making an official visit at a convenient time. During the meeting, SUZUKI Norikazu congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office of Prime Minister on behalf of the Japanese government and expressed hope for taking Bangladesh-Japan relations to new heights. He also showed interest in increasing exports of Japanese food products to Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh and Japan are long-tested friends, noting that one of the current government’s top priorities is creating employment opportunities for young people. He called for boosting Japanese investment in the agriculture, electronics and automobile sectors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday enquired about the health condition of an opposition lawmaker who fell sick during the parliamentary session. Opposition MP Hafez Robiul Bashar, elected from Satkhira-3 constituency, suddenly fell sick at around 1:40 pm during the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. He was later taken to the parliament lobby with the help of fellow MPs and officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat where on-duty physicians provided him with primary treatment. During the Zuhr prayers break of the session, the Prime Minister went to the lobby, enquired about the condition of the ailing MP and gave necessary instructions to the authorities concerned regarding his treatment. The Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad and other whips were present at the time.