[🇧🇩] Official Security Assistance (OSA) and Defense Cooperation Between Bangladesh and Japan

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Source : https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press1e_000484.html

Signing and Exchange of Notes for Official Security Assistance (OSA) to the People's Republic of Bangladesh
On November 15, in Dhaka, H.E. Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, SGP, psc, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Prime Minister's Office of the People's Republic of Bangladesh signed and exchanged notes for 575 million yen in "Official Security Assistance (OSA)" grant aid.

OSA was established in 2023 as a new cooperation framework for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries with the aim of deepening our security cooperation with the countries, creating a desirable security environment, and contributing to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security, by enhancing their security and deterrence capabilities through the provision of equipment and supplies as well as assistance for the development of infrastructure.

Bangladesh, as a "Strategic Partner" of Japan, is located in front of the Bay of Bengal which is one of important sea lanes for Japan. It is getting more and more important to improve capabilities for monitoring and surveillance, and disaster relief of Bangladesh Navy, which implements such operations and other related activities in the Bay of Bengal.

This programme enables to provide patrol boats to Bangladeshi Navy which is expected to strengthen its capabilities for monitoring and surveillance, and disaster relief and to contribute to maintenance and enhancement of maritime security not only in the Bay of Bengal but also a whole Indo-Pacific region.​

 

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Japan includes Bangladesh in OSA to enhance defence cooperation

Japan includes Bangladesh to OSA to enhance defence cooperation Japanese ambassador in Dhaka Iwama Kiminori has said Japan has included Bangladesh with Official Security Assistance (OSA) project to enchance defene cooperation

en.prothomalo.com

Japan includes Bangladesh in OSA to enhance defence cooperation
Diplomatic CorrespondentDhaka
Updated: 26 Aug 2023, 22: 42

State minister for foreign affairs Shahariar Alam (Left) and Japanese ambassador in Dhaka Iwama Kiminori (2nd from the left) at a roundtable styled 'Materialising Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership: Diplomatic, Economic and People-to-People Relations at the Multipurpose Hall of the Japan embassy in Dhaka on Saturday.Courtesy: Japanese embassy

Japanese ambassador in Dhaka Iwama Kiminori said Japan has included Bangladesh in the Official Security Assistance (OSA) project to enhance defence cooperation.

Bangladesh is one of four countries which have been included in this new programme in the first year.

He disclosed this while speaking as a special guest at the concluding session of a roundtable at the Multipurpose Hall of the Japan embassy in Dhaka on Saturday.


The Pan-Asia Research Institute (PARI), a Japan-based multi-modal Asia and Pacific-focused think tank which was launched today, organised the roundtable discussion styled 'Materialising Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership: Diplomatic, Economic and People-to-People Relations".

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina visited Japan in April this year. After the meeting with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, the relations between the two countries reached a strategic level.

The issue of including Bangladesh in the OSA was mentioned in the declaration of joint statement following the meeting.

The Japanese ambassador Iwama Kiminori said Bangladesh has been included in the OSA to strengthen defence cooperation with the defence force and related organisations.

The Japanese ambassador said Bangladesh has been included in the OSA to strengthen cooperation with the defence force and related organisations. Positive discussions have recently been held on the enhancement of defence cooperation especially on exchange of armour and technology.

He said a joint study group was formed in December last year to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Meanwhile, discussions have been held twice. The study group launched the EPA soon after completing the round phase discussion.

The Japanese ambassador said sending of Japanese volunteers to Bangladesh will begin at the end of this year.

Speaking as the chief guest, state minister Shahriar Alam said Bengali justice Radha Binod Paul, a resident of Kushtia, laid the foundation of Bangladesh-Japan relations.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

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Bangladesh to get patrol boats under Japan's military aid program

The move makes Dhaka the second beneficiary of defense equipment under Tokyo’s new aid program.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Bangladesh to get patrol boats under Japan's military aid program

Japan's decision to provide patrol boats to Bangladesh will make Dhaka the second beneficiary of defense equipment under Tokyo's new official security assistance military aid program. | GETTY IMAGES
BY GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ
Nov 15, 2023

Japan will provide patrol boats to Bangladesh, making Dhaka the second beneficiary of defense equipment under Tokyo's new military aid program, as it aims to bolster the South Asian country's maritime security capabilities amid Chinese naval forays into the Indian Ocean.

The move is part of a deal the two countries signed Wednesday in Dhaka that will see the vessels being provided via a grant worth ¥575 million ($3.82 million) under the official security assistance program launched in April.

That's close to the ¥600 million that the first OSA recipient, the Philippines, is being granted for the acquisition of Japanese coastal surveillance radars as part of an agreement signed earlier this month.

The Foreign Ministry in Tokyo provided no further details about the boats, saying only that they are meant to boost the Bangladesh Navy's monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief capabilities — particularly in the Bay of Bengal, which the ministry described as "an important sea lane" for Japan.

"It is getting more and more important to improve (these) capabilities ... for the Bangladesh Navy, which conducts such operations and other related activities in the Bay of Bengal," the ministry said in a statement.

The number of boats has yet to be confirmed, but ministry officials told The Japan Times they assume the funds should be enough to procure four small boats, the specifications of which will be determined as a result of the bidding process.

First announced in last December's revised National Security Strategy, the OSA framework is meant to provide equipment, supplies and infrastructure development assistance to partner countries, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, in the form of grants rather than loans.

Tokyo is already in advanced negotiations with Malaysia and Fiji, while Vietnam and Djibouti are reportedly among those being considered as potential recipients in the coming fiscal year.

The framework, to which Tokyo allocated ¥2 billion this fiscal year, marks a break with Japan's previous policy of avoiding the use of development aid for military purposes other than disaster relief.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

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Dhaka, Tokyo to deepen defence co-op for regional peace

PM Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio stress resolving Rohingya crisis to ensure regional peace, stability

www.tbsnews.net

Dhaka, Tokyo to deepen defence co-op for regional peace
PM Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio stress resolving Rohingya crisis to ensure regional peace, stability

Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio have welcomed the commencement of negotiations on an agreement concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology, recognising the future potential.

The two premiers have decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" as a guiding principle to lead the two countries' journey into the next 50 years and beyond, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday, reports BSS.

Both leaders shared the determination to enhance cooperation, specifically cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond, deepening economic cooperation for mutual benefits and regional prosperity, and expansion of cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

They also laid emphasis on realising a "sustainable, safe, voluntary, and dignified" repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar as an ultimate solution to the crisis, reports UNB.

The two premiers welcomed recent frequent port calls at Chattogram by vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the high-level mutual visits of the Japan Self-Defence Forces and the Bangladesh Armed Forces, BSS reports.

In light of the Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchanges formulated between the defence authorities from the two sides, they concurred to continue to promote security cooperation such as mutual visits by vessels and aircraft, unit-to-unit exchange, training programmes, and goodwill exercises.

In addition, both prime ministers have decided to consider opening a Defence Wing in Tokyo and National Security Wing in Dhaka in their respective embassies in the near future.

Furthermore, they concurred to enhance dialogues among the respective diplomatic and defence authorities in order to identify possible ways to strengthen security cooperation.

PM Kishida explained Japan's efforts for fundamentally reinforcing its defence capabilities and strengthening diplomatic efforts, as illustrated in the new National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defence Build-up Programme.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

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Japan to Provide Patrol Ships to Bangladesh under OSA Framework; More Secure Sea Lanes Sought

The government has decided to provide patrol ships worth about ¥600 million to Bangladesh under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The two countries are expected to officially reach an agreement on Wednesday.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

Japan to Provide Patrol Ships to Bangladesh under OSA Framework; More Secure Sea Lanes Sought

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
The Foreign Ministry head office is seen in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on Nov. 1, 2020.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
14:03 JST, November 15, 2023

The government has decided to provide patrol ships worth about ¥600 million to Bangladesh under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The two countries officially reached an agreement on Wednesday.

Bangladesh will be the second country to receive aid under the framework, which allows the government to provide defense equipment and other supplies to like-minded countries. The first OSA agreement was made with the Philippines earlier this month.

Facing the Bengal Bay, Bangladesh sits at a strategic point along Japan's sea lanes. By boosting the Bangladesh Navy's surveillance capabilities, and its ability to handle disasters, Japan hopes to keep the lanes safe for Japanese tankers and merchant ships. It also seeks to counter China, which is making increasingly hegemonic moves.

China is backing projects to improve Bangladesh's harbor infrastructure as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to create a huge economic bloc. It is also exporting arms to Bangladesh.

The government apparently intends to reduce Bangladesh's dependence on China through the OSA framework.

It also plans to grant aid under the framework to Malaysia and Fiji during this fiscal year. The final details are now being worked out.

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry chose Djibouti and Vietnam as OSA recipients for the next fiscal year.​

 

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Bangladesh set to sign defence purchase deal with Japan

Tokyo had previously proposed signing an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the two Asian nations

www.tbsnews.net

Bangladesh set to sign defence purchase deal with Japan
Tokyo had previously proposed signing an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the two Asian nations

Bangladesh is set to sign an agreement with Japan to procure defence equipment with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who holds the defence portfolio, having already given his consent.

The defence ministry has now sent the document – a copy of which has been seen by The Business Standard – to the Public Security Division, the foreign ministry, the Finance Division, and the Economic Relations Division for their final approval and opinions on the agreement.

Tokyo had previously proposed signing an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the two Asian nations.

All three branches of the armed forces – the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force – along with the foreign ministry have expressed no objections to the agreement.

Based on Bangladesh's feedback, Japan revised the draft agreement and has resubmitted it for final consent.

Officials at the defence ministry said Bangladesh and Japan enjoy friendly bilateral relations, which also extend to the armed forces of both countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation was signed in April 2023 during a visit by the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, aiming to elevate the existing comprehensive partnership between the two nations to a strategic partnership.

The agreement is expected to further strengthen military ties between the two countries, the officials added.

Japanese military equipment manufacturers have shown interest in selling arms to Bangladesh for several years. Meanwhile, a delegation of Japanese military equipment manufacturers has visited Bangladesh.

Japan requested Bangladesh to sign the agreement during a foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries held in Dhaka last June.

The United States has also been negotiating with Bangladesh for several years to sign specialised defence pacts – the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). So far, Bangladesh has expressed interest in signing GSOMIA.

China and Russia remain the primary suppliers of arms to Bangladesh, which also imports weapons from neighbouring India.

As Bangladesh's financial capacity grows, the number of countries interested in selling arms to the nation has also increased. Countries such as Italy, Türkiye, Sweden, and France have been offering arms sales to Bangladesh.​

 

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Bangladesh to Sign Landmark Defence Equipment Agreement with Japan

 

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The Bangladesh government has approved a proposal to sign a defense deal with Japan. Right now, Bangladesh purchases military equipment from China, Russia, Turkey, the USA, Great Britain and Pakistan. With the signing of the deal Japan will be able to sell military hardware to Bangladesh armed forces.

 

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The following video talks about the purchase of military hardware from Japan. In my humble opinion, Bangladesh should not buy major weapon systems from Japan because the armed forces are quite happy with the Chinese weapon systems. Strategically we should not move away from China which we view as a counterweight to India.

 

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Japan to give 5 patrol vessels to Bangladesh

The envoy also said Japan is ready to sign an agreement with Bangladesh to provide equipment on air pollution monitoring

www.thedailystar.net

Japan to give 5 patrol vessels to Bangladesh

Photo: PID

Japan has decided to provide five patrol vessels to Bangladesh for coastal area patrolling, said newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.

He also said Japan is ready to sign an agreement with Bangladesh to provide equipment on air pollution monitoring.

Shinichi made the remarks as he paid a courtesy call on Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain yesterday.

"During the meeting, the Japanese ambassador reiterated Japan's strong support for the interim government of Bangladesh and mentioned that upcoming parliamentary vice minister-level visit will officially convey this message of political support," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

He informed that the JICA chief is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in March this year.

Touhid thanked Japan's continued efforts towards a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingya to the Rakhine state of Myanmar.

Mentioning that recent developments in Rakhine state were adding pressure on Bangladesh, he sought Japanese support for the upcoming conference on Rohingya crisis to be organised by Bangladesh in Doha in collaboration with the UN.​

 

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প্রতিরক্ষা সরঞ্জাম ও প্রযুক্তি হস্তান্তর নিয়ে চুক্তি করছে বাংলাদেশ-জাপান

প্রতিরক্ষা সরঞ্জাম ও প্রযুক্তি হস্তান্তর সংক্রান্ত চুক্তিতে বাংলাদেশ ও জাপান নীতিগতভাবে একমত হয়েছে এবং চুক্তিটি দ্রুত সম্পন্ন হওয়ার আশা প্রকাশ...

www.dhakapost.com

প্রতিরক্ষা সরঞ্জাম ও প্রযুক্তি হস্তান্তর নিয়ে চুক্তি করছে বাংলাদেশ-জাপান

কূটনৈতিক প্রতিবেদক
৩০ মে ২০২৫, ১১:২৪

প্রতিরক্ষা সরঞ্জাম ও প্রযুক্তি হস্তান্তর সংক্রান্ত চুক্তিতে বাংলাদেশ ও জাপান নীতিগতভাবে একমত হয়েছে এবং চুক্তিটি দ্রুত সম্পন্ন হওয়ার আশা প্রকাশ করেছে উভয়পক্ষ। পাশাপাশি উভয়পক্ষ রাজনৈতিক ও নিরাপত্তা সহযোগিতা আরও জোরদার করার প্রতিশ্রুতি পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছে।

শুক্রবার (৩০ মে) টোকিওতে প্রধান উপদেষ্টা ড. মুহাম্মদ ইউনূস ও জাপানের প্রধানমন্ত্রী শিগেরু ইশিবার মধ্যে বৈঠকের পর এক যৌথ সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে এ কথা জানানো হয়।

বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে জানানো হয়েছে, উভয়পক্ষ রাজনৈতিক ও নিরাপত্তা সহযোগিতা আরও জোরদার করার প্রতিশ্রুতি পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছে। জাপানের অফিসিয়াল সিকিউরিটি অ্যাসিস্ট্যান্সের অধীনে বাংলাদেশ নৌবাহিনীকে পাঁচটি টহল নৌকা দ্রুত সরবরাহের প্রতিশ্রুতিও দেওয়া হয়েছে।

প্রতিরক্ষা সরঞ্জাম ও প্রযুক্তি হস্তান্তর সংক্রান্ত চুক্তিতে দুই সরকার নীতিগতভাবে একমত হয়েছে। চুক্তিটি দ্রুত সম্পন্ন হওয়ার আশাও প্রকাশ করেছেন তারা।

বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে বলা হয়, বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতার পর থেকে দীর্ঘস্থায়ী বন্ধুত্বের কথা স্মরণ করে উভয়পক্ষ কৌশলগত অংশীদারত্বের প্রতি প্রতিশ্রুতি পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছে। তারা সকলের জন্য শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা এবং ভাগ করে নেওয়া সমৃদ্ধি নিশ্চিত করার জন্য একটি মুক্ত ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিকের জন্য তাদের অভিন্ন দৃষ্টিভঙ্গিও পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছে।

জাপানের প্রধানমন্ত্রী সংস্কার উদ্যোগ এবং বাংলাদেশে শান্তিপূর্ণ উত্তরণের প্রচেষ্টার জন্য অধ্যাপক ইউনূসের নেতৃত্বাধীন বাংলাদেশের অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকারের প্রতি জাপানের পূর্ণ সমর্থন পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছেন।

অর্থনৈতিক সহযোগিতা অব্যাহত রাখার প্রতিশ্রুতি দিয়েছে জাপান। বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে জানানো হয়, উভয়পক্ষ অর্থনৈতিক সংস্কার এবং জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন মোকাবিলা করার জন্য উন্নয়ন নীতি ঋণের জন্য নোট বিনিময় স্বাক্ষর এবং জয়দেবপুর-ঈশ্বরদী সেকশন (১)-এর মধ্যে ডুয়েল গেজ ডাবল লাইন নির্মাণ প্রকল্পের জন্য ঋণকে স্বাগত জানিয়েছে।

উভয়পক্ষ বাংলাদেশে জাপানি বিনিয়োগকে উৎসাহিত করার জন্য বাংলাদেশ বিনিয়োগ উন্নয়ন কর্তৃপক্ষে (বিডা) ওয়ান স্টপ সার্ভিস (ওএসএস) সিস্টেম, প্রি-পেইড গ্যাস মিটার স্থাপন, ব্যাটারিচালিত সাইকেলের জন্য কারখানা স্থাপন, তথ্য সুরক্ষার জন্য একটি পাইলট প্রকল্প চালু এবং বাংলাদেশ বিশেষ অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের (বিএসইজেড) সাথে ভূমি চুক্তিসহ সমঝোতা স্মারক স্বাক্ষরকে স্বাগত জানিয়েছে।

তারা পারস্পরিক লাভজনক উপায়ে অর্থনৈতিক অংশীদারত্ব চুক্তি (ইপিএ) সম্পন্ন করার গুরুত্বের ওপর জোর দিয়েছে এবং তাদের নিজ নিজ মন্ত্রণালয় এবং আলোচক দলগুলোকে যত তাড়াতাড়ি সম্ভব একটি চুক্তিতে পৌঁছানোর জন্য আলোচনা ত্বরান্বিত করার নির্দেশ দিয়েছে।

বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে বলা হয়েছে, ড. ইউনূস জাপান-বাংলাদেশ দ্বিপাক্ষিক সম্পর্ককে এগিয়ে নিতে, বিশেষ করে মহেশখালী-মাতারবাড়ি সমন্বিত অবকাঠামো উন্নয়ন উদ্যোগসহ (মিডি) বঙ্গোপসাগরীয় শিল্প বৃদ্ধি বেল্ট (বিগ-বি) উদ্যোগের আওতাধীন প্রকল্পগুলোতে বাংলাদেশে টেকসই অর্থনৈতিক প্রবৃদ্ধি এবং উন্নয়নে অব্যাহত সহায়তার জন্য জাপান সরকারের প্রতি কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশ করেছেন।

বাংলাদেশ থেকে কর্মী নেওয়ার সহযোগিতা আরও বৃদ্ধি করতে সম্মত হয়েছে উভয়পক্ষ। এ বিষয়ে যৌথ বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে উল্লেখ করা হয, উভয়পক্ষ দক্ষ মানবসম্পদসহ জনগণের মধ্যে বিনিময় বৃদ্ধির উপায় নিয়ে আলোচনা করেছে এবং দুই দেশের মধ্যে সাংস্কৃতিক সম্পর্ক জোরদার করার বিষয়ে একমত হয়েছে।

বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে আরও বলা হয়, জাপানের প্রধানমন্ত্রী মিয়ানমারের রাখাইন রাজ্য থেকে জোরপূর্বক বাস্তুচ্যুত ব্যক্তিদের সাময়িকভাবে আশ্রয় দেওয়ার এবং তাদের প্রতি অব্যাহত মানবিক সহায়তা প্রদানের জন্য বাংলাদেশের প্রশংসা করেন। ড. ইউনূস জাপানের মানবিক সহায়তার প্রশংসা করেন। উভয়পক্ষ বাস্তুচ্যুত ব্যক্তিদের মিয়ানমারে একটি টেকসই, নিরাপদ, স্বেচ্ছাসেবী এবং মর্যাদাপূর্ণ প্রত্যাবাসনের কথা বলেন।​

 

[Bilal9]

English translation:

Bangladesh, Japan sign agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer​

Diplomatic correspondent
30 May 2025, 11:24

Bangladesh and Japan have agreed in principle on an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology and both sides expressed hope for the early conclusion of the agreement. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to further strengthen political and security cooperation.
This was announced in a joint press release after a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on Friday (May 30).

The statement said that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen political and security cooperation. Japan also pledged to promptly provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy under its Official Security Assistance.

The two governments have agreed in principle on an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology. They also expressed hope that the agreement will be concluded quickly.

Recalling the long-standing friendship since Bangladesh's independence, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership. They also reiterated their shared vision for an open Indo-Pacific to ensure peace, stability and shared prosperity for all, the statement said.

The Japanese Prime Minister reiterated Japan's full support for the interim government of Bangladesh led by Professor Yunus for its reform initiatives and efforts for a peaceful transition in Bangladesh.

Japan has pledged to continue economic cooperation. The statement said that both sides welcomed the signing of the exchange of notes for the Development Policy Loan for Economic Reforms and Climate Change Mitigation and the loan for the construction project of the dual gauge double line between Joydevpur-Iswardi Section (1).

Both sides welcomed the signing of MoUs including a One Stop Service (OSS) system at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), installation of pre-paid gas meters, setting up a factory for battery-powered bicycles, launching a pilot project for data security, and a land agreement with the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) to encourage Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

They stressed the importance of concluding the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in a mutually beneficial manner and instructed their respective ministries and negotiating teams to accelerate the negotiations to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

The release said that Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support for sustainable economic growth and development in Bangladesh, especially in projects under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, including the Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI), to advance Japan-Bangladesh bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in recruiting workers from Bangladesh. The joint statement said that the two sides discussed ways to increase people-to-people exchanges, including skilled human resources, and agreed to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

The statement further said that the Japanese Prime Minister commended Bangladesh for providing temporary shelter and continued humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced persons from Myanmar's Rakhine State. Dr. Yunus commended Japan's humanitarian assistance. Both sides called for a sustainable, safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of displaced persons to Myanmar.