[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi

"Tourism Promotion in Bangladesh"
I once mentioned in this column about the necessity to promote tourism in Bangladesh. Key points that I raised were; firstly, tourism could play a significant role in poverty reduction based on self-help efforts by creating employment opportunities and earning foreign currencies. Secondly, it could be one of the most effective mechanisms to improve the negative image of Bangladesh if many foreigners visit here as tourists, remove their prejudices by seeing the actual Bangladesh and share their experiences with other people upon their
return.

There is a travel agency called "Bengal Tour" in Bangladesh, which takes care of many Japanese travelers including some TV crews from NHK and commercial broadcasting stations. It asked me to send a message
for a video that promotes tourism in Bangladesh. Happily accepted the request, I sent a message as follows:

I have visited many parts of this country on weekends or on official trips during the past two years and a few months since I came here. Through my experiences, I have found three aspects that I would like to share with you today.

First, Bengal has a long recorded history which stretches over 1600 years since the Gupta Dynasty in the 4th century, though it has been a little more than 30 years as the People's Republic of Bangladesh. There are 140 million amiable people living here.

Second, Bengali people have created a rich culture through this long period of time. For example, there are unique architectures that include the remains of Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques, which are designated as world heritages, and also ancient Hindu temples. Also, clay engravings called "terracotta", which has been continuously molded since the 4th century B.C., depict people and animals very lively as if they were just about to start moving.

Furthermore, there is a folk music tradition called "Lalon" whose crystal clear pathos impresses listeners very deeply. In addition, the vivid color sense in paintings and Saris is remarkable. I think that fiery Bengali nature must have a lot of influence on this sense of color.

Third point is the abundance of nature. There are two very large rivers flowing into Bangladesh; the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. They form a number of branches, which run all over the country. Those numerous rivers create a unique landscape. The Bangladeshi people coexist with floods caused by many rivers during rainy seasons. This landscape and the people's way of life can be rarely seen in other countries. When I went down wide rivers in a boat several times, I felt as if I had merged into eternal nature.

Sunderban is also outstanding. In this wild mangrove forest, which is designated as a world heritage, famous Bengal tigers and other wild species live. This wild nature seems to have been staying as it is since the primitive age.

As I illustrated, Bangladesh has a very rich nature and culture. I hope as many Japanese people as possible come to visit this wonderful country.

I would like to keep elaborating messages to promote Bangladesh tourism for another occasion. I would welcome and appreciate any suggestion or idea that you may have.

(Past messages from Ambassador Horiguchi)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html

[2] Upcoming Event on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Seminar on Sustainable Rural Development (Dhaka, Sep 3)
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and JICA will organize "International Seminar for Sustainable Rural Development" oat LGED on September 3. H.E. Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Minister for Local
Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, H.E. Mr. Md. Ziaul Haque Zia, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and other distinguished guests will be present.

Presentations on rural development will be made by representatives from LGED, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and JICA.

* Japan Trade Fair 2005 (Dhaka, Sep 8 to 10)
Japan Trade Fair 2005 will be held at the Sheraton Hotel from September 8 to 10, organized by the JBCCI and supported by the JETRO and the Embassy of Japan. NYK Line Bangladesh Ltd., ITOCHU Corporation, National Life Insurance Co Ltd. and Pacific Motors Ltd. will co-sponsor the event.

The first one, held last June, achieved a huge success with 17,000 attendees and contracts worth about 300 million yen (about 2.83 million US dollars). This year's trade show will be added more substance to achieve greater results.

For more information, please visit the JETRO's website at:
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/link_files/upcoming_events.html

[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Press Release on the Bombing Incident (Dhaka, Aug 18)
The Embassy of Japan issued a press release on the bombing incident in Bangladesh which happened on August 17. Japan expressed its indignation at the bombing incident and extended our condolences to the bereaved families as well as our heartfelt sympathy to those who were killed and injured in this incident of terrorism.

Firmly upholding our position that terrorism in any forms can never be justified and firmly condemning any acts of terrorism, we hope that the Government of Bangladesh will probe into the incident and further improve law and order. We will continue supporting the efforts of Bangladesh in this regard.

The full text is posted on our website at:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pr_bombing180805.html

[4] Information

* Disaster Reduction-Japan's Global Contribution
National Geographic Channel will broadcast "Disaster Reduction-Japan's Global Contribution" on August 28 at 9:30am. Japan has repeatedly suffered from various types of natural disasters. Japanese people has transformed those experiences into a source of wisdom, a storehouse of expertise, technology and knowledge about preventing and reducing future natural disasters.

This valuable wisdom, developed over many years, has enabled Japan to provide assistance to many countries struck by similar tragic disasters. This program discusses Japan's resolute commitment to international cooperation for disaster reduction, and presents some of the challenges undertaken in the course of those efforts.

[5] Relay Essay by Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) Fellow
"Information and Communication Technology" (Mohammed Jalam Uddin Assistant Professor at Chittagong University)

I obtained Bachelor of Commerce in Finance & Banking and Masters in Finance from Dhaka University. After obtaining a master's degree, I worked for Treasury Division of United Leasing Company for a year and subsequently for a private steel company for six months. I have been serving as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Finance & Banking, Faculty of Business, Chittagong University since 2001.

Under this JDS Program I applied to study Information Communication Technology (ICT) at International University of Japan (IUJ). I hope to enrich my knowledge on different subjects such like e-government, system development, new business development, networking engineering area and policy area, etc. I will apply skills and experiences obtained at IUJ to different sectors in the government upon my return to Bangladesh. I hope to play a role in policy making, in policy implementation and in policy review.

I am also interested in sharing my learning experiences with students who will become decision makers or business leaders in future. Human resource development should be given priority in economic policies. Training is important so that Bangladeshi people become a resourceful and skilled person enough to contribute to the country. It is effective to utilize the experiences and lessons of a developed country like Japan. I hope to solve various business and administrative problems of my home country and contribute to further development of Bangladesh.

In addition, infrastructure should be given high consideration to develop our economy. Structural adjustments are required in institutions, constructions, and telecommunication network etc.

I can play a meaningful role with my experiences in Japan. I will use ICT in improving administration and operation of an organization and make sustainable policies in the long term to achieve development of our country, Bangladesh.

(Mr. Uddin is a JDS 2005 fellow and now studying at the International University of Japan for two years.)

(Japan Development Scholarship)
http://sv2.jice.org/jds/scholarships/index.html

[6] Editor's Note

A charity horn concert was held as scheduled on August 17, the day when bombings put all of us into fear and anxiety. At the concert, however, children were singing and dancing very cheerfully. I'm sure all audience was encouraged by their positive energy. I hope those children grow up to build a society that would not give in to
terrorism.

* This E-Bulletin is sent to those who have contact with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe this E-Bulletin or to change the email address for subscription, please contact the Embassy of Japan at:
mail@embjp.accesstel.net

* We are grateful for your valuable comments, suggestions, opinions, and/or requests on the E-Bulletin at any time. Please send those to the Embassy of Japan at:
mail@embjp.accesstel.net

* Contributions from readers are also cordially invited. Please contact the Embassy of Japan at:
mail@embjp.accesstel.net

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/

* Email Bulletin Archive