Bangladesh-Japan

Photo: PID Japanese Ambassador Naoki Ito handed over a photo album to the PM

Govt is helping to reduce the suffering of the flood-hit people: PM

She made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.

At that time, Sheikh Hasina expressed her sorrow and said that we have to live with this nature.

Regarding the Rohingyas, the Prime Minister said her government has provided better facilities for them in Bhasan Char.

In this regard, the Japanese Ambassador said, "Today is World Refugee Day and Japan wants speedy repatriation of displaced Rohingyas."

Regarding the much-discussed Padma Bridge, the Prime Minister said, "I laid the foundation stone of the first bridge on July 4, 2001. Later, as the work on the bridge did not progress, the Awami League government came to power again and completed the work."

The Prime Minister further said that the media in Bangladesh is independent and at present there are 33 TV channels in the country. Earlier, only state-run Bangladesh Television was operational.

At the time, Naoki Ito said Bangladeshi goods had access to 98 percent duty-free quota in Japan. Japan will continue to support Bangladesh's development activities.

He invited the Prime Minister to visit Japan in November and said that Japan would be happy with her visit.

During the meeting, Naoki Ito handed over a photo album to the Prime Minister entitled 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit to Japan in 1973'. It was published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

The ambassador said that eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the Metrorail. "The Japanese companies will start operating in 2500 special economic zones from next year," he added.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus. After the meeting, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Ihsanul Karim briefed the journalists.