Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (6th issue / August 15, 2004)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh - ====================================================================================================

[ Table of Contents ]

[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi

"Towards a Permanent Solution to Floods"

[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* First JBCCI General Meeting (Sep. 2, Dhaka)

[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japan's Emergency Assistance for Flood Affected People (Aug. 6)
* A message of sympathy from Japanese Foreign Minister (July 28, Tokyo)

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[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi
"Towards a Permanent Solution to Floods"

Bangladesh is now languishing under serious floods. Japan, as well as other countries and international organizations, are supporting Bangladeshi efforts to overcome the immediate damages caused to human lives and properties by the floods.

However, as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh rightly pointed out, permanent measures are required along with short-term ones to reduce the extent of flood damage in the years to come, as floods are quite recurrent in this country.

There is a dire necessity to take lessons from the past experiences to bring about permanent solutions irrespective of the time, efforts and resources those may require.

In this regard, I would like to suggest an initiative like "Bangladesh Land Remodeling Plan". Bangladesh may think about undertaking a move towards transforming or remodeling lands so that designated residential and industrial areas can be elevated above the floodwaters.

First, designate both residential and industrial areas to be protected all over Bangladesh. Second, build solid concrete framework surrounding each designated area. Then, fill there painstakingly with silt taken from rivers dredging (and concrete, if necessary) over the period of, say, thirty years.

The process of such a transformation may be time-consuming and may require the tenure of several administrations. But such bold measures based on national consensus would bear long-term and permanent fruits for the people of Bangladesh.

Coping with floods may have become a way of life for most Bangladeshis. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that the extent of damage and human sufferings caused by floods can be greatly mitigated by collective efforts of the people, the government and the international community.

(Ambassador's past messages are 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

* First JBCCI General Meeting (Sep. 2, Dhaka)

The first General Meeting of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) will be held on September 2 at 6pm at Sonargaon Hotel. All members of JBCCI, now nearly 40 companies/organizations, are invited. Ambassador Horiguchi, a patron of JBCCI, will also attend the meeting.

For more information about JBCCI, please refer to the following website.
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html

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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Japan's Emergency Assistance for Flood Affected People (Aug. 6)

On August 6, 2004, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance (medicine and family kits) to Bangladesh through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The amount of this assistance is about 28 million Japanese Yen (approximately Taka 149.7 lac or US$ 250,000).
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/21pressflood060804.html
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/8/0806.html

* A message of sympathy from Japanese Foreign Minister (July 28, Tokyo)

On July 28, 2004, Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, sent a message of sympathy with the people of Bangladesh in the current flood situation to His Excellency Mr. M. Morshed Khan, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/20pressmofa010804.html

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