Partnership to move ahead: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Japan and Bangladesh will move ahead on the basis of a "comprehensive partnership".

Speaking at a banquet hosted in the honour of visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday evening, Hasina said she had a "very cordial and successful official talks with" Prime Minister Abe.

At the summit talk held in the afternoon, Bangladesh announced that it would withdraw its candidature for the non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in favour of Japan.

On the other hand Japan has promised $6 billion in aid in the next few years and its support in establishing an ocean-based special economic zone.

"We discussed the various ways and means to further broaden our cooperation and partnership in economic, social and cultural sectors. We agreed to continue the momentum of our mutual engagement," she said.

Apart from Abe and his entourage, cabinet members and senior government officials were present at the banquet. A cultural event was held before the dinner.

Sheikh Hasina toured Japan in May. She expressed her sincere appreciation for Abe's visit to Bangladesh "so soon" after her visit.

She also fondly recalled the warm hospitality extended by the Japanese government during her recent visit.

The prime minister said Bangladesh had achieved admirable socio-economic progress in the last few years.

"My Government has been working, guided by our Vision 2021, to raise the country to a new level of development," she said.

Hasina expressed confidence that Japan would remain a trusted and active partner in Bangladesh's long-term aspiration to become a developed nation by the year 2041.

"We are working on setting up a special economic zone exclusively for Japanese investors in order to help them relocate or start their industries there," she said.

She mentioned that Bangladesh and Japan were working together to maintain peace and stability at the regional and global level.

"Our two countries are important contributors in the UN Peacekeeping and Peace-building operations, and champions of global peace and stability," she said.

The prime minister said she was optimistic that the friendship and understanding between the two nations would be substantially augmented under Abe's leadership in the coming days.

Before the banquet, Abe met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

He will leave Dhaka for Colombo on Sunday morning.