Five-day visit focuses on infrastructure, Rohingya response, and stronger Bangladesh-Japan partnership
JICA President Visits J-DRUM Initiative, Reaffirms Commitment to Bangladesh's Development
JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka concluded his five-day visit to Bangladesh after inspecting the Japanese technology-based J-DRUM initiative and several development projects. He reaffirmed JICA's long-term commitment to supporting Bangladesh's sustainable and inclusive development.
Japan International Cooperation Agency President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka has concluded his five-day visit to Bangladesh after reaffirming JICA's long-term commitment to supporting the country's sustainable and inclusive development. On the final day of his visit, he inspected the Japanese technology-based J-DRUM initiative and Dhaka North City Corporation's waste management operations.
At the conclusion of his visit, Dr. Tanaka said JICA's partnership with Bangladesh remains strong and that the agency is committed to continuing its support for the country's development in the years ahead.
At the beginning of the visit, he attended the 10th memorial ceremony honoring the seven Japanese citizens killed in the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack. He paid tribute to the victims and reaffirmed the shared commitment of Bangladesh and Japan to peace, tolerance, and mutual cooperation.
During the visit, Dr. Tanaka paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarek Rahman. Their discussions covered bilateral relations, ongoing development cooperation, and future strategic partnership. They also reviewed the progress of the Dhaka Metro Rail, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative, the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone project, and Japan's emergency assistance of 50 billion yen under the Power Asia Initiative.
He also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister for Finance and Planning Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, and Minister for Road Transport, Bridges, Shipping and Railways Sheikh Robiul Alam. The meetings emphasized stronger cooperation in infrastructure development, industrialization, energy security, and human resource development.
As part of the visit, Dr. Tanaka inspected the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on July 1. On July 3, he visited the under-construction power plant and deep-sea port under the Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative. He said these projects would play an important role in strengthening Bangladesh's energy security, trade expansion, and regional connectivity while aligning with Japan's Updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.
On July 4, he visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, where he inspected the World Food Programme's e-voucher centre, the UNHCR vocational training centre, an IOM-operated health facility, and JICA-supported livelihood programmes. He also met the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner to discuss the Rohingya situation and ongoing humanitarian assistance.
Later the same day, he visited the under-construction Cox's Bazar Fish Landing Centre, funded by JICA, and a coastal livelihood improvement project for fishing communities. The initiatives aim to improve fish processing, create alternative income opportunities, and raise awareness of nutrition.
//DBiTech/RI/MI//
