B’desh, Japan sign 4 MoUs, 2 grant agreements

Bangladesh and Japan signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs), two grant agreements and a letter of intent (LoI) on Wednesday during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Japan, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and further deepen relations between the two countries.

The agreements cover maritime security, economic cooperation, agriculture, fisheries, skills development, employment and climate change.

The two countries signed a grant agreement for the supply of patrol vessels to strengthen Bangladesh’s coastal security capabilities.

An MoU was signed between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Economic Relations Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance to improve economic ties and the business environment.

Another MoU was signed between Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The two sides also signed an MoU on implementing the Skills Development Programme (ESDP) and promoting employment.

A separate MoU was signed between Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

The letter of intent on climate change cooperation was signed between Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman travelled to Japan on Monday for a four-day visit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and a high-level delegation, including the chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, accompanied him.

During the visit, the prime minister is also scheduled to meet the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

The visit aims to expand economic opportunities, strengthen institutional ties and advance the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and Japan.