United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday announced that the two nations will conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement in the coming months to deepen economic and trade relations between the two friendly nations. They made the commitment during an official bilateral meeting between two leaders at the office of the Japanese Prime Minister in Tokyo. Their talks encompassed the entire gamut of the relationships between the two friendly countries, with both leaders reaffirming their abiding commitment to strategic partnership, said a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba described Bangladesh as a long-standing friend and said Japan would stand by Bangladesh in its endeavour for a democratic transition. Shigeru Ishiba also paid tribute to Professor Yunus, saying Bangladesh will usher in a new era under his leadership. He also highlighted Bangladesh's importance for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. "Bangladesh plays a critical role in regional stability ," the Japanese Prime Minister said. He said the two countries would conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement by the end of this year in an effort to boost trade and investment between the two nations. Prof Yunus hails expatriates' role in rebuilding post-uprising Bangladesh Bangladesh Chief Adviser thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for Japan's unwavering support of Bangladesh in the last 10 months after the previous regime left a shattered economy, an empty coffer and destroyed institutions. "We thank Japan for supporting the Interim Government and its reform initiatives. We seek Japan's active support and cooperation in our endeavour," he said. Professor Yunus reiterated Bangladesh's firm commitment to a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity of all. "Bangladesh is ready to forge partnership and cooperation with Japan to ensure maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation, sustainable use and management of marine resources, promote enhanced connectivity, and combat transnational organised crimes in the Indo-Pacific," the Chief Adviser said.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday acknowledged the vital role of Bangladeshi expatriates in nation-building, stating that their contributions have been instrumental in helping Bangladesh rise from a state of devastation after last year’s student-led mass uprising. "It is the expatriates who help sustain the country (by sending their remittances in hard times)," he said while speaking at a community reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, held at Bangladesh House. Prof Yunus said the ousted government had left the state exchequer and banks empty, and without the support of expatriates, Bangladesh would not have been able to recover. “Bangladesh would not have turn around if you did send remittance,” he told the Bangladeshi expatiates living in Japan. Prof Yunus seeks Japanese investment to boost Bangladesh’s recovery drive He urged the expatriates to continue their role in strengthening the efforts to build New Bangladesh. Later, three exchange of notes were signed, respectively on the Development Policy Loan for Economic Reform and Strengthening Climate Change Resilience(418 million USD), the Loan for the Joydebpur-Ishwardi dual-gauge double-lane railway project (641 million USD) and the grant for the human development scholarship (4.2 million USD). Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shinichi Saida signed the agreements on behalf of the respective sides. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus witnessed the signing of the exchange of notes. Later, he joined a dinner hosted in his honour by the Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday called upon Japanese companies to invest in Bangladesh and support the country's economic recovery and rebuilding efforts. “Today, we are in a situation when we need your support most. We have come a long way. The rest of the journey should be of doing things together with fun and enjoyment” he said while addressing a roundtable discussion in Tokyo. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) arranged the programme at its office in Tokyo, where some top executives of Japanese companies with significant business interests in Bangladesh were present. During the past 16 years, Prof Yunus said everything Bangladesh had was demolished in many ways. “Our financial situation brought to negative situation, rather than zero. Banking system collapsed… our foreign exchange reserve went down, administrative and police system collapsed. That’s our starting point,” he said. Dr Yunus said the past 10 months of his interim government’s journey have been about building things piece by piece. “That’s why the support of the government of Japan and the business people of Japan will be extremely helpful,” he said. The Chief Adviser also said his government’s commitment is to create a new Bangladesh because there were so many bad things in the old Bangladesh. Prof Yunus conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree by Japan’s Soka University “We want to keep a distance from old Bangladesh. So that’s our journey – to create a new Bangladesh. In that journey you would be our friends and partners and you will be inspiring us. Wonderful to see you all. It is something that reassures us,” he told the Japanese entrepreneurs. Prof Yunus said it is an opportunity to build the nation, leaving behind all the terrible things that happened in the past. “We hope that will be a matter of the past... We have all had the terrible experience, and we want to keep it a thing of the past. We want to lay a foundation of a new future.” The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh got a “sign of life” with the departure of the autocratic regime and sought a “breathing space” to fix the mess. The Chief Adviser said the shortcomings that Bangladesh has now would soon be over. Norihiko Ishiguro, JETRO Chairman & CEO, in his opening remarks at the event, said Bangladesh has seen remarkable growth and investment opportunities in recent years. Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman of the Japan Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) and Director, Member of the Board, and Executive Corporate Advisor, Marubeni Corporation, said 85 per cent of Japanese companies having business in Bangladesh hope the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) would be signed this year. He called upon the Chief Adviser to reform tax regulations in order to remove barriers for investors in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus urges Japan, its entrepreneurs to join hands in building 'New Bangladesh' Shinichi Saida, Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh, said the most significant item that the Interim Government protected was the economy; no project was halted, and no businesses were suspended. Shingo Ueno, CEO of Sumitomo Corporation; Mitsuru Izumo, CEO of Euglena Co., Ltd; Steven Winn, Chief Global Strategist of JERA; Kazunori Ogawa, Senior Managing Director of JBIC; Shigeyoshi Onoda, President of ONODA Inc.; Kazuya Nakajo, Executive Vice President of JETRO; and Mayumi Murayama, Executive Vice President of IDE-JETRO, spoke, among others, in the roundtable discussion. Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser, delivered the concluding statement.

Japan is poised to become one of the most important markets for Bangladesh’s workforce in the near future, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Thursday. “A businessman said he would hire 3,000 skill labourers from Bangladesh, but 3,000 people would have to be taught the Japanese language very quickly to do that,” he said while talking to reporters after a seminar on human resources. Press Secretary Alam said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will take more coordinated initiatives in this regard after returning home.  Prof Yunus seeks Mahathir’s support for Bangladesh’s ASEAN membership “Japan will be one of the most important manpower markets for Bangladesh in the coming years,” he said. The Press Secretary said Japan could soon open its doors to Bangladeshi manpower like a ‘floodgate’, provided the workers are properly trained. He said the interim government has already initiated efforts to develop a skilled workforce with proficiency in the Japanese language. Stating that approximately 3,000 Bangladeshi youths have already arrived in Japan for language training this year, the press secretary expressed the hope that the number would rise to about 10,000 by the end of the year. He said these people would not only study the Japanese language but would also secure employment opportunities in Japan. Alam also said Japan is increasingly looking to Bangladesh as a source for skilled human resources. The Bangladesh Embassy to Japan arranged the human resources seminar in Tokyo where Chief Adviser Prof Yunus spoke. The Press Secretary explained that the purpose of the seminar was to inform Japanese companies that Bangladesh has a sufficient pool of human resources and is ready to send skilled workers to Japan. He also said a significant number of representatives from Japanese companies attended the seminar with much enthusiasm. Earlier at the programme, Japanese authorities and businesses announced plans to recruit at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh in the next five years to meet the country's growing workers' shortage. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Japan signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance the skills of Bangladeshi manpower and facilitate their employment in Japan, as the country faces a shortage of workers.  Japan to recruit one lakh Bangladeshi workers in five years The agreements were signed at a human resources seminar hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan, held at Hirakwacho Chiyoda City in Tokyo, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.    

Bangladesh and Japan on Thursday signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance the skills of Bangladeshi manpower and facilitate their employment in Japan, as the country faces a shortage of workers. The agreements were signed at a human resources seminar hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan, held at Hirakwacho Chiyoda City in Tokyo, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Saleh Ahmed Mujaffor, Director General of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), a government institution under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Bangladesh, and Jun Oneda, Chairman of Kaicom Dream Street BD Co. Ltd. (KDS), a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company, signed the MoUs on behalf of their respective sides. Under the agreement, with the cooperation of KDS and BMET, a specialised training unit will be established at the Monohardi Technical Training Centre (MTTC) as a model facility for Japan's Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) programme. The centre will operate under the name 'Dream Street Business Training Center (DSBTC)'. KDS will introduce its 'Dream Education' programme—an education model designed to help learners discover their own dreams and work diligently to realise them—at MTTC as the standard training curriculum. Japan to recruit one lakh Bangladeshi workers in five years The MoU will remain valid for five years from the date of signing, with the possibility of an extension through mutual consultation. Besides, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a strategic framework for the placement of skilled Bangladeshi workers has been signed between the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), the National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC) of Japan, and the Japan Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency Ltd. (JBBRA). The MoU was signed by BMET Director General, Saleh Ahmed Mujaffor; Chairman of the Board of Directors of NBCC, Mikio Kesagayama; and JBBRA Managing Director, Moinul Tahmid, on behalf of their respective organisations. The purpose of this MoU is to establish a strategic framework for placing skilled Bangladeshi workers in Japan under Japan’s Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Workers Programme (SSW). In cooperation with NBCC, JBBRA, and BMET, a technical centre will be developed as a model training centre for Japan's TITP and SSW programmes, to be operated under the name Bhalojob Training Centre (BJTC). The training centre, developed by JBBRA, will introduce a model training programme to other TTCs in phases. The MoU aims to foster mutual cooperation in training, certification and the development of technical skills, thereby facilitating the mobility and employment of Bangladeshi nationals in Japan. It also ensures compliance with Japanese labour market standards for workers trained under the terms of this agreement. Transform Asia into a beacon of shared prosperity: Prof Yunus tells Nikkei Forum in Tokyo According to the MoU, Japan plans to accept 100,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next five years. The agreement is valid for five years and may be renewed through mutual consultation. Earlier at the programme, Japanese authorities and businesses announced plans to recruit at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh in the next five years to meet the country's growing workers' shortage.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said that he was looking forward to his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to extend the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in different sectors. “There are so many areas of collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh; I want to build on this,” the Chief Adviser said. The Chief Adviser, who meets Ishiba on Friday, on the third day of his visit to Japan, made the remarks when President and CEO of Nikkei Inc. Tsuyoshi Hasebe called on him at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, ahead of the Nikkei Forum Future for Asia. Hasebe thanked the Chief Adviser for attending the programme despite his busy schedule. Prof Yunus in Tokyo to join Nikkei Forum, hold bilateral talks Professor Yunus said he was a regular visitor to Japan until a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic and thanked the Nikkei Forum for helping him make so many friends in the country. Hasebe hoped that the Chief Adviser would continue the endeavour in the future. “In Japan we have a proverb about picking chestnuts out of fire,” he said, thanking the Chief Adviser for his time. The meeting was followed by the Chief Adviser's address to the Nikkei Forum Future of Asia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus departed for Tokyo in the early hours of Wednesday on a four-day official visit to participate in the 30th Nikkei Forum Future of Asia and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. “The Chief Adviser left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Tokyo at 2:10am on a Cathay Pacific flight,” his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. He said Prof Yunus is scheduled to arrive at Narita International Airport at 2:30pm (Tokyo time) on Wednesday and is expected to return home on Saturday, wrapping up his tour. “This is a very important visit," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said during a media briefing on Tuesday at the Foreign Service Academy. He said Bangladesh is expecting to get USD 500 million budgetary support from Japan in addition to USD 250 million for the country’s railway sector with likely support in other areas as the two countries eye to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. Bangladesh has sought $1 billion from Japan in the form of ‘soft loan’ and the announcement will come formally after the bilateral talks between the two leaders, and an exchange of notes will be signed. The Press Secretary said the Chief Adviser is giving much emphasis on sending skilled manpower to Japan. "We have a target to send 1,00000 skilled manpower," he said, adding that the government is working to send them very quickly with adequate training, especially language skills. Prof Yunus to inaugurate Bangladesh-China trade & investment conference on June 1 The Press Secretary said it is a priority area for the Chief Adviser, and Bangladesh is exploring the area. On the business side, he said two seminars will be held - one on investment by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where hundreds of businessmen of both countries will discuss the economic future. The other seminar will be on skilled labourers or workers hosted by the Bangladesh side with Japanese public private engagement, the envoy said, adding that on both occasions, some MoUs are to be signed. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to attend the 30th Nikkei Future of Asia conference in Tokyo and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 30, aiming to secure funding for key projects. This will be Prof Yunus’ first visit to Japan as the Chief Adviser. He visited Japan multiple times, including the visit to attend the 2004 Nikkei Asia Prize award ceremony and the participation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Opinion Leader Invitation Program in 2007. Briefing the media on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique said the Chief Adviser and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will hold bilateral talks in Tokyo on May 30 and discuss ‘strategic bilateral’ issues to strengthen relations on all fronts. "The meeting will discuss various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and Japan – trade and investment, cooperation in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, and human resource development," he said. Siddique noted that the Rohingya issue will also be discussed during the meeting. Dhaka eyes $500m budgetary support, $250m for railways from Tokyo: Shafiqul Alam The Chief Adviser will be accorded a red carpet reception and a guard of honour before the meeting, said the Acting Foreign Secretary. “The main focus of this visit is budgetary support,” Siddique said in response to a question, adding that all ‘strategic bilateral’ issues will be discussed. He said a total of seven MoUs are likely to be signed during the official visit of the Chief Adviser. Taro Aso, President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, will pay a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser on May 28. He will attend a dinner to be hosted in his honour by the President of the Nippon Foundation, Yohei Sasakawa, where Japanese political and business leaders will be present. Following the dinner, the Chief Adviser will hold an interactive meeting with Japanese dignitaries. On May 29, Prof Yunus will be called on by high-ranking officials of Nikkei before the opening of the 30th Nikkei Forum Future of Asia. In the inaugural plenary session, the Chief Adviser will deliver a keynote speech, calling on Asia and the wider world to work together and build a better future on the theme ‘Asia’s Challenge in a Turbulent World’. Dr Tanaka Akihiko, President of JICA, will also make a courtesy call to the Chief Adviser. During the meeting, JICA’s future cooperation with Bangladesh and the progress of various ongoing projects funded by JICA will be discussed. In February this year, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko invited Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to visit Japan for the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event to be held on May 29-30 in Tokyo. Prof Yunus is also a recipient of the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004. Political, economic and sectoral cooperation issues, along with trade and investment, people-to-people connectivity, cultural exchanges, the situation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingyas), security cooperation and regional and global matters are likely to be discussed during the visit. The two countries are expected to further strengthen their bilateral relationship across a wide range of areas, including security, the economy, economic cooperation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, under the ‘Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership’.

Bangladesh and Japan will hold Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on May 15 in Tokyo which will discuss the key issues of cooperation, including a likely meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later this month. In February this year, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko invited Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to visit Japan for the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event to be held on May 29-30 in Tokyo. Prof Yunus is also a recipient of the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004. Officials said the Chief Adviser will attend the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event and both sides are working to arrange a bilateral meeting between Dr Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Dhaka urges all to respect people's sovereign will in matters relating to elections Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi said issues related to trade, investment and the continuation of economic cooperation will be highlighted during the FOC. The Japanese government has not yet made a public announcement regarding the Chief Adviser’s visit. “Japan has been your faithful development partner since independence,” said the Ambassador. He also highlighted Japan’s involvement in key development projects in Bangladesh, such as the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, metro rail, and railway line initiatives. Secretary (East) Dr Md Nazrul Islam, instead of Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, will lead the Bangladeshi delegation at the FOC, said the Ministry sources.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said Japan, like many other countries, expects the restoration of democratic order in Bangladesh, as it has significant plans to invest here in the future. “They (Japan) have huge investment in Bangladesh and they have a lot of plans for more investment here in the coming days,” he said while briefing reporters after Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi’s meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The hour-long meeting, which began at 3:30pm, was held at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. BNP Standing Committee member and Chairperson's Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed also attended the meeting. Khosru said they discussed how Japan can continue its trend of investment in Bangladesh like in the past. He said BNP always welcomes Japanese investment because the quality of their investment is very good, the cost is low, and the terms of trade are always favourable for Bangladesh. “Our discussion topics were Madam's (BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s) health, her return to the country, investment and trade between the two countries, and the next election,” the BNP leader said. He said Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations are very significant. “Japan has always been our biggest development partner. So naturally, they expect the environment to continue to work with the new government coming to Bangladesh in the future.” Khaleda to reach Dhaka at 10:30am Tuesday Just as everyone is waiting for the elections, Khosru said Japan also wants to know when the elections will be held in Bangladesh. “Naturally, everyone's investment and many other decisions depend on the election. Everyone is waiting for the election and an elected government in Bangladesh. It is the same with Japan. So, everyone hopes that a democratic order will return to Bangladesh,” he observed. Khosru said all the previous BNP governments have had good experience working with Japan and they successfully implemented many projects. “We will definitely use that good experience in the future as well.” In the discussion, he said the Japanese envoy highlighted Khaleda Zia’s long contribution to politics, her love for the people, and her return to the country with love of the people. “They are also observing the Madam's return to the country with great interest and, like the people of Bangladesh, they also feel that her return to the country is good for the nation,” he said. 

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has expressed his hope that the young generation will forge a greater Bangladesh-Japan cultural relationship as the two countries will celebrate the 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. Ambassador Naoki took part in the cosplay competition as a judge and interacted with many anime fans. He thanked the AnimeCon Dhaka team for organizing this year’s event. Read: Myanmar to take back Rohingyas gradually, hopes Foreign Minister