Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo’s official development organisation, on Monday marked the 50th anniversary of its cooperation with Bangladesh, a partnership that has contributed to shaping the country’s development landscape, a press release said on Tuesday.
JICA organised a celebratory event at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, which was joined by Finance Minister Mr. AHM Mustafa Kamal and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh IWAMA Kiminori, among other dignitaries. High-level government officials, heads of agencies, and development partners were also present in the ceremony.
Japan is Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner, and the partnership through JICA has evolved and strengthened over the past five decades.
JICA’s cooperation, during the 50 years, has also covered education, health, agriculture and rural development, governance improvement, private sector development, disaster risk reduction, water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, and power and energy.
Appreciating Japan’s support to Bangladesh, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, “Japan is the ideal example for us and the entire world. Our communities will sustain and develop with JICA and Japan’s support. Japan is our time-tested friend, and we hope our cooperation will help the country attain all the goals.”
ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA, emphasised the friendship between Japan and Bangladesh, and said, “Throughout 50-year journey, JICA has cooperated to many different areas and sectors through technical cooperation, concessional loans, grant aid, volunteers, and other schemes as a trusted friend with Bangladesh.”
The 50th anniversary of JICA in Bangladesh is a reaffirmation of the enduring commitment to a brighter future for the people of Bangladesh and signifies the strength of a long partnership and promises to continue supporting the nation’s development in the years to come.
