Realise geopolitical advantage to tap economic potentials: Naoki

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki on Monday said Bangladesh, located along the Bay of Bengal, is a vital country in geopolitical terms and it needs to utilise its geographical advantage for full economic benefits.

While addressing a hybrid seminar on “Geopolitics of Indo-Pacific and Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Littorals” he said, Japan has been developing Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port in Matarbari, south of Chittagong which constitutes the “Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (so-called Big-B).

Ambassador Naoki said the new port and the economic zone will become hubs of “logistics, power and energy,” and “waterfront industry” in Bangladesh and the region.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh jointly organized the seminar at the BIISS auditorium as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh. Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke as the chief guest.

Ambassador Naoki said, JICA is implementing several large-scale infrastructure projects under the BIG-B.

For example, he said, in December this year, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line 6 will start its commercial operation, and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, the first economic zone developed by Japan will also be ready for international investment.

The envoy said Japan promotes various practical cooperation, including anti-terrorism, disaster prevention, and maritime safety.

“Japan granted 24 rescue boats to the Bangladesh Coast Guard last December and started a training program on “Coast Guard Policy” for Bangladesh Coast Guard officers,” he said

Japan pursues a “Free and Open Indo- Pacific” (FOIP) that will ensure a rule-based international order to bring peace, stability, and prosperity for every country in the region, Naoki said.

Bangladesh is the country that recognizes the importance of rule-based maritime order and shares its value with Japan and other like-minded countries, he added. The ambassador praised Bangladesh’s efforts for sheltering the displaced Rohingyas of Myanmar.

He said Japan supports the government’s relocation policy of refugees to Bhasan Char and committed to provide US $2 million as the first donor to UNHCR and WFP for their operation in Bhasan Char.