Japan is Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner. This partnership has been further developed and strengthened over the past five decades through JICA. The institution is playing an important role in making the development of Bangladesh a reality. Bangladesh is now one of JICA’s top three borrower countries worldwide. This information was given in a press release on behalf of JICA.
These words came up in a ceremony organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) partnership with Bangladesh. The event was organized at a hotel in the capital on Monday.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal was the chief guest on the occasion. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori was present as the guest of honour. Ito Teruyuki, Director General, South Asia Department, JICA Headquarters, and Sharifa Khan, Senior Secretary, Economic Relations Department (ERD) were the special guests.
It was informed at the event that so far JICA has given about 22 billion dollars as Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan to Bangladesh. About $965 million in grants, about $699 million in technical cooperation, and about $166 million in private sector investment finance in the form of loans and equity have been disbursed through 2022.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, Japan is an ideal example for the whole world. Japan is our tested friend. This partnership will also help Bangladesh achieve its future development goals.
JICA Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide said that through this journey of 50 years, JICA has cooperated in many sectors through technical cooperation, concessional loans, grants, volunteering and various methods as a tested friend of Bangladesh.
Highlighting the important projects completed in cooperation with JICA, Ito Teruyuki, Director General of the organization’s South Asia Division, said that Bangladesh is now one of their top three borrower countries.
ERD Senior Secretary Sharifa Khan said, Japan has participation in all 15 sectors of the country. JICA is very positive and cooperative in taking new initiatives for the development of the country.
