Japan’s support comes with ‘long-term commitment, trust’

Japan’s development cooperation comes with 'long-term commitment and trust', an expert says.

Professor Naohiro Kitano of the Global Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, spoke in Dhaka and introduced Japan’s recent engagements in the field of Official Development Assistance (ODA) overseas.

He was the former director of JICA Research Institute.

The Embassy of Japan and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) jointly organised a special lecture titled “Japan-Bangladesh Development Cooperation for enhanced Connectivity” at BIISS auditorium on Thursday.

Prof Kitano focused on the Japanese model for development cooperation, explaining its feature as “long term commitment with trust” that he said, can benefit the people in the recipient country through its inclusive approach and human resource development.

He also focused on the way how Japanese ODA has been facilitating the physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity, referring to the recent ODA projects in Bangladesh such as BIG-B initiative.

The BIG-B initiative is a Japan-led development plan to accelerate industrial agglomeration along the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar belt area and beyond.

It involves developing economic infrastructure, improving investment environment and fostering connectivity.

The projects under this initiative include the construction of ultra-super critical coal fired power plant and a new commercial port in Matarbari.

Japan is the largest development partner of Bangladesh.

The two countries embarked on a “comprehensive partnership” during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit in September 2014 when a large business delegation that comprised all major Japanese companies accompanied him.

Abe launched the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, which he said would be the “centrepiece” of Japanese cooperation in Bangladesh.

Under the BIG-B concept, he had also promised $6 billion credit for infrastructure development in which Japanese technology would be used.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and senior government officials and university professors and experts attended the lecture chaired by the director general of BIISS Major General AKM Abdur Rahman.