'Dhaka, Tokyo explore alternative financing' 

Emphasis has been placed on further strengthening economic relations between Bangladesh and Japan and expanding cooperation in alternative financing arrangements. The issues were discussed at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Deputy Finance Minister Atsushi Mimura on Friday.

The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere at the Japanese Finance Minister’s office. Shahadat Swadhin, Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, confirmed the meeting.

He said that the meeting recalled the longstanding traditional and strong economic relations between Bangladesh and Japan. The two sides also held detailed discussions on various aspects of taking bilateral and economic partnerships to a new height and deepening mutual cooperation.

The meeting placed special emphasis on Bangladesh’s infrastructure development, expansion of trade, and increasing economic cooperation through alternative financing arrangements alongside foreign direct investment (FDI).

Both sides agreed to take effective initiatives to further strengthen existing economic relations and work together in new areas of cooperation.

Tanvir Gani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Investment and Capital Market Affairs, Shakirul Islam Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region, and senior officials from both countries were present at the meeting.

It is worth mentioning that Japan is one of Bangladesh’s major development partners. Several large-scale infrastructure and social development projects have been implemented in Bangladesh with Japanese financing in the past. At present, important projects are being implemented through cooperation between the two countries, alongside the signing of new agreements.