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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (67th Issue / May 3rd, 2007)
- 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
subscription, please email us at mail@embjp.accesstel.net
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[1] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japan’s Assistance for New Meteorological Radar (Apr 23,
Cox’s Bazar)
* Visit by Ambassador Inoue to Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong
(Apr 23-24)
[2] Information
* Seminar “Psychology of Vision” (May 11-13, Dhaka)
[3] Relay Essay by Japan Development Scholarship (JDS)
Fellow
(Mr. Abu Daiyan Mohammad Ahsanullah, Assistant
Commissioner (Land))
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[1] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japan’s Assistance for New Meteorological Radar (Apr 23,
Cox’s Bazar)
On April 22, the inaugural ceremony of Meteorological
Radar at Cox’s Bazar was held with the attendances of
Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masayuki Inoue, and
Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Kamrul Hasan.
The Government of Japan extended grant assistance
amounting Taka 49 crore. This project is implemented under
the first phase of the grant and the Government of
Bangladesh constructed new Radar Tower Buildings and
install new Radar Systems in premises of Cox’s Bazar
Meteorological Radar Stations in order to construct new
Storm Warning Centre at the Bangladesh Meteorological
Department Head Office in Dhaka.
Bangladesh is one of those countries which gravely suffer
from natural disasters such as floods in the summer
monsoon and cyclone and disturbances in pre-and
post-monsoon seasons. Natural calamities could be
prevented, diverted or subdued. Timely forecast and
warning could minimize damages in terms of human lives and
properties.
* Visit by Ambassador Inoue to Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong
(Apr 23-24)
Ambassador Inoue and Mrs. Hiromi Inoue visited Cox’s Bazar
and Chittagong from April 23 to 24. They attended the
inauguration ceremony of Meteorological Radar at Cox’s
Bazar, visited a multi-purpose cyclone shelter constructed
with Japan’s financial assistance. In Chittagong, they
visited DAP-II, KAFCO, and BEPZA, where they exchanged
opinions with people concerned.
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[2] Information
* Seminar “Psychology of Vision” (May 11-13, Dhaka)
Seminar "Psychology of Vision" will be organized by Hunger
Free World from May 11 to 13 in Dhaka. Ms. Hiromi Kurihara,
a Japanese trainer and therapist with 25 years of
experience, offers a course in English with simultaneous
Bengali translation.
Ms. Hiromi is the President of the non-profit organization
"Cocoro no Vitamin (Vitamin for your Heart)" in Japan, an
author of numerous books, and a Master trainer of
Psychology of Vision.
The seminar aims at better intercultural understanding,
conflict resolution and provides a roadmap and tools to
facilitate deep changes.
Course time:
May 11 (Thursday): 5 - 8 pm.
May 12-13 (Fri & Saturday): 9 am. - 7 pm.
For more information, please contact Mr. Ataur Rahman,
Country Director of Hunger Free World at:
01711-52 6979
hfw2021@gmail.com
For more information about Ms. Kurihara, please visit the
following website:
http://www.psychologyofvision.com/Facilitator_bio.asp?id=11
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[3] Relay Essay by Japan Development Scholarship (JDS)
Fellow
(Mr. Abu Daiyan Mohammad Ahsanullah, Assistant
Commissioner (Land))
It has been a great experience for me to be selected as a
JDS fellow this year. So, I like to take this opportunity
to thank all the authorities concerned with this project.
The very objective of JDS is to render a positive
contribution to the ongoing socio-economic development of
the developing countries like Bangladesh. With this view
in mind I have chosen the field of Economics where I am
expecting to acquire specialised knowledge and contribute
more efficiently to my country.
The industrial sector, specially the labour intensive
manufacturing sector has been gaining momentum for the
last two decades in Bangladesh in terms of absolute value
as well as share in GDP. The most important manufacturing
sector as far as foreign exchange earning and employment
are concern is the Readymade Garment (RMG) industry. It is
now facing a tricky time due to external factors like the
change in global trading pattern and internal factors like
labour market unrest for the demand of wage hike. The
minimum wage of the RMG industry has recently been
increased considerably. So it has been an important
question among the policy planners and the business
community that whether the industry will be able to grow
or even survive in some cases with this new minimum wage?
Or in other words will the RMG industry be able to
continue its expected growth in this new minimum wage
regime where the industry was earlier propelled by the
comparative advantage of cheap labour?
In this circumstance, I believe that my proposed topic of
thesis “The Fixation of Minimum Wage in Readymade Garment
Industry of Bangladesh: Its impact on Productivity and
Global Competitiveness of the Industry” will be a timely
effort to shade light on this issue. I am expecting to
acquire specialised knowledge on the relationship between
fixation of minimum wage and productivity of an industry.
At the same time I am also expecting to find some policy
recommendations to counterbalance the adverse impact of
new minimum wage.
As one of the officers of Bangladesh Civil Service with
academic background in economics, I am expecting to work
in important appointments where I will have to deal with
the economic policy, trade, commerce and development
related issues. So, I believe that the advanced knowledge
I am expecting to acquire from this program will help me a
lot to contribute to the socio-economic development of
Bangladesh more efficiently.
The Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies in Ritsumeikan
Asia Pacific University attracted me most for its unique
nature of faculty members from diverse field of studies
and students from large number of countries. This very
cosmopolitan nature of the school guarantees that a
student has to meet with a wide range of cultures and
development experiences. This will certainly add value
because I believe that learning by sharing the experience
is a very significant approach to address the socio
economic problems. So, I am hoping for a great learning
experience in the days to come.
(Japan Development Scholarship (JDS))
http://www.jice.org/english/jds/bangladesh_org.html
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