Dhaka and Tokyo today (April 26) signed eight instruments on the second day of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day state visit to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.
Those were signed on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties, defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation by the concerned persons of the two friendly countries.
The instruments were later exchanged between Bangladesh and Japan in presence the premiers of both the countries at the Prime Minister's Office here.
The first instrument is a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan on agricultural cooperation for agricultural research and development and capacity building.
The second one is an agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters Cooperation to ensure the proper application of the customs laws; to prevent, investigate and repress any customs offense, and to take cooperative efforts for simplification and harmonization of customs procedures.
The third one is MOC between the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan on "Bangladesh-Japan Industrial Upgrading Partnership Cooperation to establish a framework to jointly explore the possibilities of upgrading Bangladesh's industries through promoting cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan at both government and private levels with a view to supporting trade performance and product diversification for smooth graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026 and ongoing efforts to be a developed country by 2041 in line with "Vision 2041".
The fourth one is Memorandum on Defence Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of Japan to promote and strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence dialogue, exchange of visits, education, training, courses, seminars, workshops, technology transfer, and any other agreed activities pertinent thereto.
The fifth one is Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges of Bangladesh on Cooperation in the field of Metro Rail, Cooperation on metro rail policy, laws, and regulation; technology for infrastructure, rolling stocks and systems; safety policy and management and disaster prevention measures.
The sixth one is Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Industries of Bangladesh in field of Ship Recycling. Bangladeshi side will make every effort to achieve required capabilities to accede and implement the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships by the end of 2023.
The Japanese side will make every effort to provide support for the development of Bangladesh in the field of ship recycling, including the establishment of a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility, and to assist Bangladesh to meet the requirements in provisions of the HKC.
The seventh Memorandum of Cooperation between the Japan Patent Office and the Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on Intellectual Property Cooperation on promotion of comprehension on the intellectual property right (IPR) systems and practices by exchanging information and practices, promoting public awareness on the importance of IPR, improvement of the IPR systems to enhance the development of industry and innovation.
The eighth one is MOC in the Field of Information and Communication Technology including Cyber Security between ICT Division, Ministry of Posts Telecommunications and Information Technology and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman (Senior Secretary) National Board of Revenue Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Waker-uz-Zaman, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary A B M Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of Ministry of Industry Zakia Sultana and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak signed the instruments respectively from Bangladesh side.
After the signing ceremony prime minister said "It is always a pleasure to be in Japan-a beautiful country that is close to my heart. I am particularly delighted to be able to undertake my official visit to Tokyo after we have completed the 50thanniversary of establishment of our diplomatic relations."
Sheikh Hasina said, "I am deeply touched by the hospitality that Prime Minister Kishida and the Government of Japan have extended to me and my delegation."
Japan occupies a very special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. Japan was among those few countries that gave early recognition to Bangladesh on 10 February 1972. The historic visit of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman to Japan in October 1973 laid the foundation of our lasting friendship, she said.
The premier also said, "Prime Minister KISHIDA and I have discussed today the entire gamut of our bilateral relations."
BDST: 1758 HRS, APR 26, 2023
MN/MSK
