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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (52nd Issue / June 22, 2006)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh -
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This E-Bulletin is to share updated information and
stories about Japan-Bangladesh relations with as many
people as possible. If your friends are interested in
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[Table of Contents]
[1] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
*
Japan’s
Support for Digital Mapping System (June 21, Dhaka)
* Japan Development Scholarship 2007 (June 19, Dhaka)
* Send-off Ceremony for Japan Development Scholarship 2006
Fellows (June 8,
Dhaka)
[2] Relay Essay by Japanese Commerce and Industry
Association in Dhaka (Sho-ko-kai) Members
(Mr.Matsuzawa, Former Chief Representative, JBIC Dhaka
Office)
[3] Editor's Note
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[1] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
*
Japan’s
Support for Digital Mapping System (June 21, Dhaka)
On June 21, the Government of Japan approved the
utilization of the Japanese Counterpart Fund of 48.79
crore taka for projects to improve Digital Mapping System
of Survey.
A precise and unified topographic map is essential in
implementing development projects accurately and smoothly.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported
the improvement of the Digital Mapping System in Dhaka
area so that an accurate map of
Dhaka
would be available. The Government of Bangladesh will
expand the mapping system to all over the country,
utilizing the Japan Counterpart Fund.
On this occasion, Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masayuki
Inoue, expressed that a map is one of the most important
information resources to develop a country and that the
support should make a significant contribution in
effectively implementing development projects in
Bangladesh.
* Japan Development Scholarship 2007 (June 19, Dhaka)
On June 19, Ambassador Inoue and Mr. Md. Ismail Zabihullah,
Secretary of ERD of the Government of Bangladesh, signed
agreements on the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource
Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme for the next year.
Japan provides 319 million yen (approximately 19 crore
taka).
Bangladesh will start recruiting candidates in August and
the total number of 20 will be selected for studying in
Japan for two years from July 2007.
JDS was established by the Government of Japan in 2001 and
this will be the 6th year. It is designed to
provide young Bangladeshis with opportunities to enhance
their knowledge and skills. They are expected to play
leading roles for the development of Bangladesh and to
strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between
Japan and Bangladesh after completion of their studies in
Japan. The fields of study include public administration,
economics, medical administration and environmental
policy.
(Japan Development Scholarship for Bangladesh)
http://www.jice.org/english/bangladesh_org.html
* Send-off Ceremony for Japan Development Scholarship 2006
Fellows (June 8, Dhaka)
On June 8, Ambassador Inoue hosted a send-off party for 20
participants of JDS 2006. They will leave for Japan next
month to enhance their knowledge and skills in respective
fields. Returnees from past JDS and officials from
relevant ministries also joined the party.
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[2] Relay Essay by Japanese Commerce and Industry
Association in Dhaka (Sho-ko-kai) Members
(Mr.Matsuzawa, Former Chief Representative, JBIC Dhaka
Office)
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) opened its
Representative Office in Dhaka in 1988 (when it was called
Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF)).
I myself was assigned to
Dhaka
as the Chief Representative from 1995–99, and a lot of
happy and sad incidents took place during this period. To
name a few, the non-stop hartal was carried out in
connection with the change of governments in March 1996;
the Rescue and Relief Team came from Japan right after the
devastating tornado in May 1996; the inauguration of the
Jamuna Bridge was held in June 1998; and a the biggest
flood in the previous ten years occurred in August 1998.
At each and every time of these incidents, the members of
Sho-ko-kai were always united to cooperate with each
other.
Study tours were organized by Sho-ko-kai in those days and
the members visited different areas in the southern or the
northern regions of this country. The Board of Investment
(BOI) had to improve the image of Bangladesh in order to
attract foreign investments and for that purpose, golf
tournament was organized with the Japanese Association in
Chittagong. In addition, meetings were arranged to
exchange opinion with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce
Delegations from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore,
etc. I had an opportunity to take part in these activities
as a member of Sho-ko-kai.
One of the memorable activities was my participation in
the “Development Partners Meeting” which was held in
Dhaka
in 1997. Before that, the “Donors Assistance Meeting” used
to be held in Paris every year mainly with the attendance
of donor agencies. However, the private sector’s
involvement was incorporated into the agendas for the
first time at the Dhaka Meeting in order to enhance its
image. The World Bank representative and then Vice
President, Ms. Nishimizu, was wearing a traditional dress
of Bangladesh called “Selwar Kamiz” and it made her look
more smart and intelligent. The meeting among the donor
agencies was followed by another meeting with the private
sector following day.
H.E. Mr. M. Saifur Rahman, who was in the opposition at
that time, chaired one session where the members of
Sho-ko-kai took an active part in requesting appropriate
actions for promoting further investment to this country.
The Government led by H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina was
encouraging the private sector participation in developing
natural gas and electricity, but there were a number of
country-biased proposals. The Sho-ko-kai also distributed
a written opinion regarding how to attract more and more
private investments from Japan which was the largest donor
country. I think that the Bangladesh side had to listen to
those opinions. It was perhaps a difficult task to
establish an appropriate linkage between the public sector
assistance and the expansion of private sector investment,
but I believed that the interactions should pave the way
for an outcome in the future.
I still remember meetings with other members of Sho-ko-kai
over “Sangetan” at the Arirang Restaurant, “Tandoori
Chicken” at the Shenai Restaurant, and “Tomyam Soup” at
the Thai House Restaurant, which were delicious dishes in
those days. I think that those who live in Dhaka now are
also having those kinds of hot debate, but I do hope that
the members of Sho-ko-kai in Dhaka will continue further
activities as well as playing as the bridge between Japan
and Bangladesh.
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[3] Editor's Note
As many of you have noticed, the website of our Embassy
was renewed recently. Internet is a very effective tool
for anybody who has information to be shared. Our Embassy
is trying to make the most of it and hope you find our
brand-new website more useful.
Editor, Saori Nagase
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