UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh on Saturday expressed its keen interest in concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan considering the ‘growing synergies’ between the economies of the two countries.
The issue came up for discussions during bilateral talks between Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at the Foreign Ministry here on Saturday.
At the meeting, Bangladesh and Japan agreed to initiate working-level consultations
to reach an understanding on regular Foreign Office Consultations, visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders as well as Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Fumio Kishida said Japan has its full confidence in Bangladesh’s march forward towards becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and looks forward to further strengthening bilateral relations based on a comprehensive partnership of cooperation.
He underscored the importance of democratic continuity in ensuring Bangladesh’s ongoing development process and said that his government did not support any form of violence in the democratic process.
The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on a whole range of issues of bilateral, regional and international interest, said a Foreign Ministry media release.
The two sides also exchanged views on possible Japanese financing for some key mega-infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
Mahmood Ali stressed that Japan could effectively contribute to promoting regional connectivity and integration, including through its support for the BCIM Economic Corridor.
The Japanese side expressed interest in further contributing to improving the investment climate in Bangladesh to facilitate enhanced Japanese investment, including through developing necessary legal and regulatory framework.
The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction at the favourable investment facilities enjoyed by 176 Japanese enterprises currently operating in Bangladesh.
The two sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in enhancing cooperation in disaster management and combating climate change.
