DHAKA: Investment issues and infrastructure development are on high of the agenda for the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ensuing two-day Dhaka visit.

“We’re giving highest importance to (Japanese) investment issues,” Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told a press conference at the Foreign Ministry ahead of the high-level visit.

Outlining six major features of the official talks to be held on Saturday, he said the visit will play a very important role in continuing Japanese assistance towards Bangladesh’s development.

“This a milestone visit in terms of two countries relations in last four decade,” the minister said.

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present at the press conference.

Abe along with his 150 entourage members is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

This visit is taking place within three months of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan in May this year. But, it is first visit to Bangladesh by a Japanese PM in 14 years since the then Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori visited Bangladesh in 2000.

Apart from reviewing the progress over the joint statement signed by two sides during the Sheikh Hasina’s Japan visit, the Foreign Minister said, the Japanese side will renew its commitment to provide assistance for the big projects in Bangladesh.

“With this visit, we hope, Japanese investors will get encouraged to invest in Bangladesh,” he said informing a 50-member high-level business delegation will also accompany the Japanese Prime Minister.

AH Mahmood Ali hoped that Japanese investors will feel encouraged to invest in energy and electricity generation, infrastructure development, IT, textiles, readymade garment, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and other areas.

He said establishment of an exclusive economic zone for Japanese investors would also come up for discussion during Abe’s visit. “We’ll also seek Japanese support for boosting Bangladesh’s export,” said the Foreign Minister.

During the visit, Japanese Prime Minister will meet President M Abdul Hamid and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad. However, there is no schedule for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Besides, the Japanese Prime Minister will address the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum jointly organized by Bangladesh Board of Investment (BoI), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

BDST: 1705 HRS, SEP 03, 2014