Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged Japan to extend its full cooperation in helping build a “new Bangladesh”.
He made the call on Friday while addressing the "Bangladesh Business Seminar" at the headquarters of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tokyo, state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reports.
The event was jointly organised by JETRO and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
"I came here to thank you and design the next steps," Yunus said.
"We are in big trouble. Literally, Bangladesh has gone through a 16-year earthquake. Everything fell apart... we are trying to pick up the pieces."
Hailing the warm ties between the two nations, Yunus said a good friend is one who is always on hand in times of hardship and Japan is that friend.
"Our task is to make the impossible possible and you
are our partner and our friend. Make that happen," he said.Describing the effort to build a new Bangladesh as a historic challenge, the head of the interim government emphasised his intent to prove not only that the task is achievable, but that it can be done with perfection.
"Lay the foundation of another Bangladesh, which we call new Bangladesh. So our task is to create that new Bangladesh together," he said.
"With your support, it is very much doable and we already laid the foundation of it," he added.
He highlighted a recent agreement signed with Japan’s Penta-Ocean Construction and TOA Corporation to build Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port at Matarbari. JICA is supporting the project, which serves as a key pillar of the MIDIP initiative.
Thanking Japan for its contribution, the chief advisor said it has laid the foundation for the economy of a once-backward country.
"It’s not about making money, it’s about changing lives.”
Referring to Bangladesh as a gateway for millions when it comes to maritime connectivity, Yunus noted that the country could serve as an access point for Nepal, Bhutan, and the seven northeastern states of India.
"Matarbari is the doorway for the rest of the world. We will keep the door open for them," Yunus said.
At the seminar, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Shinji Takeuchi highlighted Bangladesh as a strategic location that connects Asia and plays a vital role in regional development.
He added that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and Bangladesh, the East Asian nation has supported the country’s development. Under the leadership of Yunus, the Japanese government sees Bangladesh as a strategic partner, according to him.
Takeuchi also noted that the Japanese government was actively encouraging Japanese companies to invest in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh.
Yunus said Japanese businesses could take advantage of Bangladesh’s investment-friendly environment and contribute to sustainable development by strengthening partnerships in various sectors.
Noting that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan is currently focused mainly on textiles, he urged Japanese companies to diversify their investments into other sectors.
The seminar was also attended by Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain; the Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali.
