Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought more investment from Japan to further bolster economic ties as well as put emphasis on further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two friendly nations.

The PM was talking to her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe over phone yesterday afternoon.

During the nearly 25-minute conversation that began around 1:05pm, the two leaders discussed issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral economic cooperation, and the projects being implemented with Japanese assistance, said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

Japan has pledged to provide $329 million (equivalent to 35 billion yen) to Bangladesh as loan for combating coronavirus in Bangladesh.

The PM's press secretary said Abe informed Hasina that their parliament already approved the loan.

Hasina apprised Abe of the current Rohingya situation. In reply, the Japanese PM said he would talk to the Myanmar leadership to solve the Rohingya crisis, the press secretary said.

She thanked Abe for providing protective equipment like PPE, masks, and goggles to Bangladesh to contain coronavirus transmission.

Hasina hoped that the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was scheduled to be held this year in Tokyo but postponed due to the pandemic, would be held in 2021 in Japan on time.  

https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/hasina-seeks-more-japanese-investment-1940513