Sheikh Hasina hopes Japan to give more support

The prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed her firm optimism that the Japanese government would provide more assistance for Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development. ‘As our government has been working hard for the welfare of the country and people, I hope that the Japanese government would give more assistance in Bangladesh’s socioeconomic uplift,’ she said. The prime minister said this when Miki Watanabe, a member of Upper House of Japanese Parliament, paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban in the afternoon. After the meeting, PM’s press secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury briefed reporters. The prime minister termed the relations between Bangladesh and Japan as historic and time-tested. ‘As a major development partner, Japan is playing an important role in Bangladesh’s socioeconomic uplift,’ she mentioned. Watanabe, a successful entrepreneur and education-lover, recalled prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to Japan and thanked her for paying the tour. In this connection, the prime minister termed her Tokyo visit as very successful and fruitful. Through this tour, she said, the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Japan have been strengthened. Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the relations would be consolidated further in the days to come. The prime minister mentioned that the people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting to welcome Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. Watanabe, also a member of the Bangladesh-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League, said Japanese people like the Bangladeshi people very much. In reply, the prime minister said Bangladeshi people also like the Japanese people. Watanabe, who opened a school at Pubail in Gazipur on Monday, has expressed his interest to set up more schools in remote areas of Bangladesh for further spreading education. He also expressed his interest to establish a teachers’ training college in Bangladesh to provide training to the teachers. He also sought cooperation of the prime minister in setting up schools in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister assured him of necessary cooperation to this end. Watanabe set up 750 chain restaurants in 11 countries. A benevolent person, Watanabe also established 110 old homes in Japan.