Dhaka-Tokyo signed 8 agreements and memorandum

Bangladesh and Japan have signed 8 agreements and memorandums of understanding to enhance mutual cooperation in agriculture, customs affairs, defense, ICT and cyber-security, industrial development, intellectual resources, ship recycling and metro rail.

These agreements and memorandum of understanding were signed today evening (Japan local time) in the presence of the country's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office Earlier, the two Prime Ministers held a bilateral meeting with the top leaders of the two countries.

Before the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached the Japanese Prime Minister's office where she was warmly welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. After that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was formally given red carpet reception and guard of honour.

1. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in agricultural research and development. 

2. Both the Governments of Bangladesh and Japan signed an agreement on mutual cooperation in customs matters. To ensure the proper application of the customs laws of the two countries under this agreement; customs shall cooperate in preventing, investigating and suppressing crime and in simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures.

3. A Memorandum of Understanding on 'Bangladesh-Japan Industrial Development Partnership' was signed by the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. Under this agreement, the government and private sector will work together to explore the possibilities of enhancing Bangladesh's trade performance and diversifying its products, and jointly exploring the possibilities of industrial upgrading in support of smooth transition from least developed country (LDC) to developing country by 2026 and to build a developed Bangladesh by 2041 under 'Vision 2041'.

4. Both the Governments of Japan and Bangladesh have signed an MoU to cooperate on defense. Defense dialogue, exchange of visits, education, training, courses, seminars, workshops, technology transfer and other defense related activities and cooperation will be strengthened under this MoU.

5. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges of Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of metro rail. Cooperation on metro rail policy, laws, and regulation; technology for infrastructure, rolling stocks and systems; safety policy and management and disaster prevention measures are under this MoU.

6. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Industry of Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the shipwreck industry sector. Bangladesh will make every effort to acquire the necessary capacity to adopt and implement the Hong Kong International Convention to ensure safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships by 2023. In this regard, Japan will provide all-out support to Bangladesh in implementing the Hong Kong International Convention, including the establishment of a treatment, storage and deactivation facility.

7. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by the Japan Patent Office and the Intellectual Property Patent, Design and Trademark Department of Bangladesh. This includes creating public awareness about the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) system and the importance of IPR through the exchange of information and practices, improving the IPR system for the development of industry and innovation.

8. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Department of Information Technology of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of Bangladesh signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of information and communication technology, including cyber security.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met Japanese Emperor Naruhito at Imperial Palace before the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishada.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to Tokyo on a bilateral visit yesterday at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

On April 27, the Prime Minister will deliver a speech at the Bangladesh Investment Conference as the chief guest at a hotel in Tokyo. On the same day, the head of government will award the 'Friends of Liberation War Honor' to four Japanese citizens for their special contribution in the liberation war.

On the same day, the Prime Minister will attend a civic reception organized by Bangladeshi citizens living in Japan. The Prime Minister will attend some other bilateral meetings and discussions during her visit to Japan. An interview with the prime minister will also be broadcast on Japanese state television.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return home on May 9 after her visit to the United States and the United Kingdom from Japan.