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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (18th issue / February 7, 2005)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh-
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[Table of Contents]
[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi "Visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Agriculture to Bangladesh"
[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Workshop on Small Scale Water Resources Development (Feb. 9, Dhaka)
* JUAAB Bengali Speech and Song Contest (Feb. 19, Dhaka)
* Discover Japan Exhibition (Feb. 24, Dhaka)
* Cultural Events (Feb and March, Dhaka)
[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Padma Bridge Final Feasibility Study Seminar (Feb. 2, Dhaka)
* Visit of the Committee Members for Grant Aid (Jan. 29-Feb. 2, Dhaka)
* Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and
Public Relations on the terrorism incident took place on January 27(Jan. 28, Tokyo)
[4] Information
* Japan's Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance
* Renewal of the Study in Japan Comprehensive Guide website
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[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi "Visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Agriculture to Bangladesh"
From January 13th to 15th, Mr. Takayoshi Tsuneda, SeniorVice-Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan visited Bangladesh after touring India, on his way back to Japan. The Senior Vice-Minister conducted successful discussions on WTO and other bilateral cooperation issues pertaining to agriculture with Mr. M.K. Anwar, Agriculture Minister and Mr. Alhaj Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Commerce Minister.
Since Mr. Tsuneda's was the first ministerial level visit to Bangladesh after the then-Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's visit in 2000, the Government of Bangladesh highly appreciated it. The moreJapanese politicians come here and increase communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts, the better it would be for continued strengthening and expansion of friendly relations between our twocountries.
The delegation headed by Senior Vice-Minister visited the Jamuna Bridge funded by Japanese ODA and the agricultural project in Tangail district and learned that these projects are highly valued by Bangladeshi nationals. After returning home, the Senior Vice-Minister reported to members of the Liberal Democratic Party how effectively Japan's ODA has been used in India and Bangladesh at the Party's trade committee.
Since the Japanese media reports on ODA utilization often focus only on the negative side of it, the positive assessment by the politician based on one's own inspections is really important for the Japanese nationals and politicians to make a balanced assessment on ODA. From this point of view, I would like to urge policy makers to come for more such on-site inspections.
The Senior Vice-Minister, during his stay, met with the members of theJapan Association of Commerce and Industry and listened to various stories on what kind of problems the Japanese companies often face in doing business here in Bangladesh. At the same time, the Japanese Ministry's director in charge of WTO has opined that Bangladesh plays important roles as the leader of the developing nations and basically stands in favor of Japan. And on its delicate agricultural ground, Japan often receives important supportive remarks from Bangladesh, which has similar rice-dependent agricultural pattern.
Cooperation in multilateral diplomacy is often cited as one of the reasons why Japan needs to strengthen the cooperative relationship with Bangladesh. It was really appreciated having this precious opportunity to listen to the concrete examples of cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh from the person directly in charge of WTO negotiations.
Although Mr. Tsuneda stayed a rather short period, it was a reallymeaningful visit, as mentioned above. Mr. Shin Sakurai, President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentarians League and member of the House of Councilors, visits Bangladesh almost every year. I would like to encourage more and more policy makers to drop by in Bangladesh on their way to or from India.
(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
* Workshop on Small Scale Water Resources Development (Feb. 9, Dhaka)
On February 9, from 10:30 a.m., JICA study team will hold a workshop on JICA master plan study on small scale water resources development for poverty alleviation through effective use of surface water in greater Mymensingh at the LGED headquarters. This workshop aims to share with participants the interim report prepared based on the results of Phase-I study and to explain the planned procedures of the phase-II study.
* JUAAB Bengali Speech and Song Contest (Feb. 19, Dhaka)
February 19, from 15:30p.m., JUAAB organize the Bengali speech and song contest at TSC Hall, University of Dhaka. On this occasion, some foreign nationals including Japanese will deliver their speech in Bengali and others will sing Bengali songs. After the contest, some cultural performances will be shown. Please come with your friends andfamily for this occasion. The whole program will be broadcasted by Channel-I.
* Discover Japan Exhibition (Feb. 24, Dhaka)
February 24, from 10a.m., Japanese cultural exhibition titled “Discover Japan” will be held at the National Public Library. “Discover Japan” is a composite program featuring a wide range of Japanese culture including Ikebana, Bonsai, Japanese Doll, Origami, Japanese Books, newspapers and books on Japan written by Bangladeshi writers. Moreover, Karate and Judo demonstration will be performed and information on higher study would be provided during the program. Please visit the venue and experience Japanese culture!
* Cultural Events (Feb and March, Dhaka)
The following Japan-related cultural events are being planned:
Feb, 25, Japan Cup Karate Tournament (Mirpur Indoor Stadium) Feb, 27-March 1, Bonsai Workshop, Demonstration and Exhibition co-organized by the Bangladesh Bonsai Society and the Embassy (National Music and Dance Center, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy)
March, 18, Grand Ikebana Contest co-organized by the Asia Bunka Kaikan Dosokai (ABKD) and the Embassy (Spectra Convention Center, Gulshan-I) March, 19, Japanese Speech Contest co-organized by the Dhaka Japanese Language Institute and Institute of Modern Language Japanese Course, University of Dhaka, sponsored by the Japan Foundation (Brac Center)
For detailed information, please contact the Embassy person in charge between Sunday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for lunch hours from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; 881-0087(ext: 155, 158)
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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Padma Bridge Final Feasibility Study Seminar (Feb. 2, Dhaka)
On February 2, JICA Bangladesh office organized the seminar on the Draft Final Report for the Feasibility Study of Padma Bridge at the Sonargaon hotel. H.E. Barrister Nazmul Huda, Minister for Communications, other government, JICA and Embassy officials attended the seminar. Mr. Hidetoshi Ukita, Charge d' Affairs of the Embassy,made a following speech at the opening ceremony.
http://www.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/cdr01sp_padma020205.html
* Visit of the Committee Members for Grant Aid (Jan. 29-Feb. 2, Dhaka)
From January 29 to February 2, 4-member team from the Committee forProper Implementation of Grant Aid under the Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Bangladesh in order to ensure proper implementation of the grant aid projects of Bangladesh. The delegation discussed with JICA, JBIC, NGO and Embassy officials and Bangladeshi counterparts from ERD and other organizations, and also observed several related project sites in and outside of Dhaka city.
* Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the terrorism incident took place on January 27(Jan. 28, Tokyo)
January 28, the Press secretary/Director General for Press and PublicRelations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement on theterrorist incident which took place on January 27, in Sylhet,Bangladesh and at least claimed 5 lives including former Finance Minister, Shah A.M.S. Kibria.
The government of Japan expressed its strong indignation at the act of terrorism and extended its condolences and sympathy. At the same time, Japan urged the government of Bangladesh to prove into series of terrorist attack and insisted that terrorism in any forms can be never justified.
The full text of the Statement is available at the following website;
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2005/1/0128-3.html
[4] Information
* Japan's Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance
The full text is available at the following website;
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/mid-term/policy.pdf
The overview is also available at the following website;
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/mid-term/index.html
* Renewal of the Study in Japan Comprehensive Guide website
Renewed contents of the study in Japan comprehensive guide are available at the following website;
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/index.html
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Embassy of Japan
Plot#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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