The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said Japan would join with the $1.2 billion Padma Bridge project in its rolling plan next year.

Feasibility study of the proposed bridge has been completed, which would be constructed with joint financing from Japanese Government, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

He was addressing the media on the outcome of his three-day official visit to Tokyo at his office yesterday. The Adviser had gone to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura.

Dr Iftekhar said, the Japanese government and business world see great potentials for Bangladesh and acknowledge its immense possibilities of transformation into yet another Asian economic powerhouse.

During the visit, Dr Iftekhar held formal talks with his Japanese counterpart and signed notes for loan agreement for $60 million for "Emergency Disaster Rehabilitation Project".

He said the Japanese showed great interest in investing in different projects in Bangladesh, and also in cooperating on nuclear energy.

Iftekhar also met with Japanese Parliament Speaker Kono Yohei, and a Senior Minister Nobutaka Machimura. Besides, he held talks with a number of government and opposition Members of Parliament, including former Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who is also the Chairmanship of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary League.

Discussions were held with the Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation and senior Vice President of Japan International Cooperation

Agency. He also had a session with Toshio Takaino, President of Japan International Treasury Corporation.

Iftekhar said most of those he met praised the stability and peaceful nature of the socio-political developments in Bangladesh in an otherwise turbulent region and expressed their interest in the country's economic progress.

The Adviser urged them to ensure greater market access for Bangladeshi manufacturers.

He stressed that Bangladesh would like to see Japan succeed as Chairman of the next G-8 Summit and that in this age of Asia's economic dominance all Asian states would need to cooperate in harmony.