Dhaka, Tokyo look to elevate partnership

Tarique to visit Japan on October 26-29

Bangladesh and Japan are set to elevate their existing strategic partnership during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Tokyo from October 26 to 29, with the commitment expected to be reflected in a joint statement.

Talks are ongoing about elevating the strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), The Daily Star has learnt from foreign ministry officials involved with the proceedings.

Dhaka and Tokyo would discuss ways to reduce interest rates on Japanese loans.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam

“The terminology is yet to be set at this moment -- 2-3 terms are on the table,” said one of the officials.

A CSP represents a higher and broader tier in Japan’s diplomatic framework than a standard Strategic Partnership and encompasses a deeply multi-layered, expansive network of cooperation across almost all sectors.

At present, Japan maintains CSPs with ASEAN, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos to advance security, economic resilience, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The visit of Tarique Rahman is expected to further strengthen the ‘Strategic Partnership’ between Japan and Bangladesh, a key regional partner that shares values and principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and enhance coordination towards realising the updated ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’,” said the Japanese foreign ministry in its announcement.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Tarique will pay an official visit to Japan, said Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at a press conference yesterday.

The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to deepen and broaden bilateral ties beyond the existing strategic partnership.

In particular, the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February has created new opportunities for expanding trade and investment.

Dhaka and Tokyo would discuss ways to reduce interest rates on Japanese loans, he said.

Bangladesh is discussing around eight instruments with Japan, including memorandums of understanding (MoUs), with three to four expected to be signed during the visit.

Draft agreements on cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, human resource development and skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental protection, and modernisation of local government are still under discussion.

Asked about Japan’s initiative to develop Matarbari as a subregional hub, Siam said Bangladesh’s economic development goals are closely linked to the development of port infrastructure.

“The ports should be ready to handle and enhance capacity for our future imports and exports. That is how the Matarbari project has emerged. If the port can handle more after meeting our demands, then we will think about it,” he said.

According to the preliminary itinerary, Tarique is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on October 27, the second day of the visit.

The preliminary itinerary also includes visits to an LNG terminal and a power plant in Futtsu City, Chiba; the headquarters of Uniqlo; and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.

Tarique will be accompanied by his wife, his special assistant for Asia-Pacific employment Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, relevant advisers, state ministers and government officials.

The delegation will travel on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.