Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance its support for the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Development Initiative (MIDI), positioning the region as a future economic powerhouse for Bangladesh.
The appeal came during a meeting with JICA President Dr Tanaka Akihiko on the sidelines of the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
"The MIDI region represents the future of Bangladesh," Prof Yunus stated. "With direct access to the Bay of Bengal, we are developing deep-sea ports, highways, and railway networks to connect MIDI with Nepal, Bhutan, and the wider South Asian region."
JICA initially proposed the development of a deep-sea port at Matarbari. Building on that foundation, the Interim Government under Prof Yunus is drafting a master plan to transform the entire MIDI region into a comprehensive hub for ports, logistics, energy, fisheries, and urban development.
"Our vision includes establishing a megacity in the region," he added, noting ongoing upgrades to airports to handle growing travel demands.
Dr Tanaka reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to the initiative but stressed the importance of expediting decision-making processes to ensure timely execution.
In response, Prof Yunus announced the appointment of a senior official to oversee MIDI-related projects and coordinate with JICA and other international investors. He also outlined plans to establish free trade zones to attract foreign manufacturing for export markets.
Highlighting Bangladesh's untapped maritime potential, Prof Yunus revealed a plan to create an exclusive fisheries zone within MIDI. This zone would allow large-scale deep-sea fishing and support onshore processing facilities for both export and local consumption.
“Currently, neighbouring countries benefit from fishing in our waters, while our own vessels lack the capacity for deep-sea operations,” he said. “By developing our own capabilities, we can fully utilise this marine resource.”
Dr Tanaka noted that this was the first time he had heard a Bangladeshi leader prioritise deep-sea fishing as a national development goal.
The leaders also discussed Bangladesh’s ongoing reform efforts in the wake of the July uprisings, including democratic transition plans and anti-corruption measures.
Prof Yunus confirmed that general elections are scheduled to take place between December and June. He expressed his intention to return to his previous work once an elected government is in place.
The Rohingya crisis was also addressed during the meeting, with Prof Yunus seeking expanded JICA support for humanitarian efforts. Dr Tanaka assured that JICA is prepared to continue participating in international responses to the crisis.
