Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday requested Japan’s backing for heightened investment and commerce, the advancement of a skilled workforce and the secure, voluntary and honorable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar in the course of a discussion with a delegation of Japanese parliamentarians headed by former Prime Minister Taro Aso.

The delegation representing the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo at 3 pm (local time), stated Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

In the course of the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Taro Aso for his sustained contributions toward cementing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan through his stewardship of the parliamentary friendship league.

He likewise reminisced about meeting Taro Aso back in 2006 when he traveled to Japan in the capacity of the BNP’s senior joint secretary general.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remarked that Aso had maintained a consistently constructive and positive stance in fostering bilateral ties across his terms as Japan’s prime minister, deputy prime minister and finance minister.

His enduring personal involvement with Bangladesh had similarly aided in deepening goodwill between the two nations, he added.

During the session, both parties underscored the necessity of fortifying political, commercial, and interpersonal bonds.

Following the execution of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requested Taro Aso’s backing for boosted Japanese investments in Bangladesh, broadened bilateral trade, and enhanced technology transfer.

He likewise voiced optimism regarding Japan’s continued cooperation in fulfilling Bangladesh’s developmental objectives and fostering a competent labor force.

The Rohingya crisis additionally arose during the deliberations, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soliciting Japan’s ongoing assistance for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

He extended an invitation to Taro Aso and members of the parliamentary friendship league to travel to Bangladesh, expressing hope that such a journey would further solidify legislative camaraderie, mutual collaboration, and bilateral relations.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon were in attendance.

Senior Japanese lawmakers alongside Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tatsunori Ibayashi also participated in the gathering.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman touched down in Tokyo at 9:15 am local time on a four-day official trip, heading a 16-member high-ranking delegation.

With Inputs from UNB