Sheikh Hasina

PID Bangladesh

JICA Executive Senior Vice-President meets Prime Minister

In the meeting, the Prime Minister requested the JICA officials to explore ways to produce drinking water from the saline waste water that comes after the salt production of the local people in the project area of Cox's Bazar.

Prime Minister's speech writer Nazrul Islam briefed the journalists after the meeting.

The Prime Minister said that the waste water contains a lot of salt and in that case the local people will benefit as it is possible to produce a lot of salt using less water. Appreciating the proposal given by the Prime Minister, JICA Karmavarta said that it is possible.

During his previous visit to Japan, the Prime Minister asked the concerned authorities to form an authority to manage the Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) as per the joint declaration signed between Bangladesh and Japan on April 26. In response, JICA expressed its willingness to work with MIDI once the Matarbari Power Plant project is completed.

The Prime Minister also suggested the construction of a children's library next to the old Shishu Park in Shahbagh area of the capital with the help of Japan. He asked the concerned authorities to introduce one stop service in 2500 economic zone areas to attract more foreign and local investment and remove various obstacles for investors.

JICA Executive Senior Vice-President Yamada Junichi informed the Prime Minister that he visited Matabari Power Plant, Deep Sea Port, Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Arai Hazare Economic Zone in Narayanganj.

Junichi appreciated the progress of the mega projects and hoped that the Matarbari Power Plant would be inaugurated early next year as 95 percent of the project has already been completed. He also expressed hope that the entrance to the deep sea port will be opened this year.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in the meeting. Tofazzal Hossain Miah, Economic Relations Department (ERD) Secretary Sharifa Khan and JICA Chief Representative in Bangladesh Ichiguchi Tomohide were present.