Dhaka, Jun 02 (V7N) – Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus's recent visit to Japan has opened significant avenues for foreign investment and overseas employment, said Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor. Speaking at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy on Sunday, Alam detailed the major outcomes of the high-level visit.

Investment Boost and Matarbari Megaproject

Shafiqul Alam highlighted that Japan will provide substantial funding for the $29 million master plan of the Matarbari infrastructure project, including development of a deep-sea port, power plant, LNG terminal, and logistics hub. Japan’s development agency JICA is already involved, but now private Japanese investors have also shown renewed interest, marking a breakthrough in bilateral investment cooperation.

“This visit has largely succeeded in increasing Japanese investor interest. We expect many major companies to start operations in Bangladesh soon,” Alam said.

Job Opportunities in Japan for Bangladeshis

The visit also advanced labor market access for Bangladesh. Alam stated that Japan has expressed interest in recruiting 100,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers over the next five years. This will mark Japan as a major labor market for Bangladesh.

To meet this target, the government plans to launch language training and technical skill development programs, addressing the key challenges of language and cultural adaptation for Bangladeshi workers.

“Discussions with Japanese authorities also addressed longstanding visa complications. We received a positive commitment to simplify the visa process for Bangladeshi workers,” he added.

Strategic Diplomacy and JETRO Discussions

Beyond economics, the visit reinforced strategic diplomatic ties between the two nations. Shafiqul Alam emphasized the importance of Bangladesh's discussions with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), noting that while Japanese investors traditionally focus on China, Vietnam, and Thailand, Bangladesh is now viewed as a strong South Asian alternative.

“The Chief Advisor’s visit was a historic step toward deepening our 50-year-old friendship with Japan,” said Alam.

No Early Elections, Clarifies Deputy Press Secretary

In response to queries about political developments, Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder clarified that while one political party has proposed elections by December, no party has been officially named. He further reiterated that there is no provision to hold elections outside the scheduled timeframe.

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