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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (11th issue / October 24, 2004)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh -
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[ Table of Contents ]
[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi
"Padma Bridge and Promotion of Democracy"
[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Bangladesh Apparel Fair (Oct. 25-27, Tokyo)
[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japanese Opera Singer Visits Bangladesh (Oct. 7-14, Dhaka, etc)
* Consultation Meeting for Japanese ODA Loan (Oct. 13, Dhaka)
[4] Information
* Job Opportunity at the Embassy of Japan
* General Policy Speech by Prime Minister (October 12, Tokyo)
[5] JBCCI Member Report
"Doing Business with Japan --- A Personal Perspective (Part 1)"
Mr. M.A. MOMEN
(Managing Director, Toka Ink Bangladesh Ltd.)
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[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi
" Padma Bridge and Promotion of Democracy"
Even before Bangladesh achieved its independence, Japan widely cooperated in the nurturing of talented people, which is necessary to build a nation. Since 1955, JICA has invited more than 4,000 Bangladeshis to its training programs in Japan.
These days, JICA experts have eagerly been working on the future of Padma Bridge. Since it was decided that the bridge construction point would be between Mawa and Janjira, the feasibility study team embarked on its work on modalities for construction of the proposed bridge, and issued an interim report in late September.
The report concluded that the length of the bridge would be 5.58 kilometers, which is longer than Jamuna Bridge. It recommended that the bridge type should be PC Extradosed Girder by linking or connecting several suspended girders.
According to this method, the span length between bridge piers will be 180 meters. This is almost twice as long as that of Jamuna Bridge at 100 meters. Reducing the number of piers cuts down expenses. Each pier comprises a caliber of 30 meters and a height of 100 meters.
"Social Environment and Resettlement Study" prior to the construction of the bridge and approach roads is still being drawn up. JICA experts plan to arrange meetings between resettlers of Jamuna Bridge and people potentially affected by Padma Bridge to reduce their anxieties. This will ensure that they are not forced to move, but will rather agree to move willingly.
Some donors ask for hasty democratization, because they wish developing countries to be democratized within the shortest possible time. However, it is not as easy as they think. As advanced democratic countries, donors should show some ideas or lead ways to realize the
process of democracy.
From this viewpoint, the above solution of problems through discussion among the residents suggested by JICA experts seems to be one of the most convincing ways to teach democracy to the people in this country.
I hope that other donors and Bangladeshi people will understand and appreciate the approach of JICA experts to make new and successful inroads into development and democratization efforts.
(Ambassador's past messages are posted on the following website.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html
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[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Bangladesh Apparel Fair (Oct. 25-27, Tokyo )
The Bangladesh Apparel Fair will be held from October 25 to 27 at JETRO Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) in Tokyo. This event is aimed at creating business opportunities in the apparel industries between Bangladesh and Japan through facilitating meeting of potential suppliers and buyers. There will be a seminar and a fashion show on October 25 at 3:30 am. Individual company booths will be set-up from October 26 to 27 for business negotiations.
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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japanese Opera Singer Visits Bangladesh (Oct. 7-14, Dhaka, etc)
A famous Japanese opera singer, Ms. Shinobu Sato, and a pianist, Ms. Eiko Morishima, made a visit to Bangladesh from October 7 to 14.
They came to make a film in which Ms. Sato sang with street children in Dhaka supported by a Japanese NGO, Shapla Neer. This film will be released at her 20th-anniversary charity concert.
She also met a famous singer in Bangladesh, Ms. Farida Parveen, and Ambassador Horiguchi.
For more information about Ms. Sato, please visit the website.
http://www.satoshinobu-ag.co.jp/profile.html
* Consultation Meeting for Japanese ODA Loan (Oct. 13, Dhaka )
The Consultation Meeting for Japanese ODA Loan was held on October 13 at Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance.
During this meeting, Japanese delegation and the Government of Bangladesh discussed prospective Japanese ODA loans.
At the opening session, Ambassador Horiguchi made a speech on Japan 's assistance and cooperation.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/40sphloans131004.html
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[4] Information
* Job Opportunity at the Embassy of Japan
The Embassy of Japan is looking for a candidate for its Information & Cultural Section for immediate appointment.
For qualification and application, please visit the following site.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/34pressjob151004.html
The deadline for the application is October 25, 2004.
* General Policy Speech by Prime Minister (October 12, Tokyo)
The Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, made the General Policy Speech in the 161st Session of the Diet on October 12.
The provisional translation of the speech is on the following website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/pm/koizumi/speech0410.html
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[5] JBCCI Member Report
"Doing Business with Japan --- A Personal Perspective (Part 1)"
Mr. M.A. MOMEN
(Managing Director, Toka Ink Bangladesh Ltd.)
* My Business with Japan
I have had the privilege of visiting Tokyo, Saitama and Osaka in Japan on business matters. All my visits took place between the year 1990 and 2000. Prior to that, i.e. in 1984 and 1986, I visited Japan to attend printing exhibitions. I was a fan of Dainipon equipment.
Our family printing business namely, Pioneer Printing Press led to my connections in meeting Mr. Yatsuka Masuda (now deceased) and his brother Mr. Ryozo Masuda (current President T&K Toka) who were owners of famous Toka Shikisho Chemical Co. Ltd., one of the largest manufacturers of printing inks (Toka brand) in Japan. Today it is a public limited company having joint venture industries in South Korea, Indonesia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. Before 1990, we imported finished offset inks from them and then decided at one point to set up a joint venture company to produce offset inks here in Bangladesh.
It took almost two years to discuss, negotiate, and finalize an agreement, but once the agreement was signed, it took only a few months starting from construction to production of our joint venture industry, which is located about 20km from Dhaka city. This import substitute industry currently employs about 50 people and is a household name in our printing arena. Anybody in the print media will recognize our brand name with admiration and praise.
I feel proud to say that over the years my connection with Japanese business friends have touched a new dimension whereby mutual respect, trust, confidence and above all professionalism between our two companies have gained momentum for many to imitate and at times be envious about.
* Character of the Japanese People
The Japanese are extraordinary people, extremely hardworking, meticulous, and thoughtful in their deeds. They are very time-conscious and believe in themselves first before they believe others.
They like to discuss in details about any matter they wish to decide upon. Decision making never goes without intense verification of facts and figures. Even aftermath of decisions to be taken at present are analyzed, discussed, and only then resolved. This is where and when the tolerance of Japanese people can be seen and mostly felt.
But once an agreement is reached, all issues related to achieving the set goals are met without hassles. A system is actually put in place and everything moves according to the set plan. The Japanese people believe in integration of thoughts and ideas. Agreed plans are thus controlled and developed as per what they call the PCD (Plan, Control, and Development) cycle.
One cannot but admire the tenacity and commitment of the Japanese people when it comes to human beings who are working people and working for their company. I recall my Japanese business colleagues sending messages of condolences whenever a staff/worker lost his/her dear ones or messages of congratulations or compliments whenever somebody deserved so. I was amazed at the concern that they showed towards us when our factory and workers were affected by the country's severe most flood in 1998 and very recently.
To my mind, though the Japanese show a conservative disposition in character yet like other human beings, they are very soft and subtle inside. They are deeply caring and extremely faithful to their commitment once they swear allegiance for a company.
It is not always symbolic for them to talk about their personal life as we often do with our friends and family members, but once one can make inroads into their heart, they speak and open up to your liking. However, building such a relationship with any Japanese will take some time and good amount of effort.
(To be continued in the next issue.)
(Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Website)
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html
(Toka Ink Bangladesh Ltd. Website)
http://www.tokaink.net
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Embassy of Japan
Plot No. 5 & 7, Dutabash Road,
Baridhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Phone (880-2)881-0087
FAX (880-2)882-6737
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/
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