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Chief Representative's Speech

December 28, 2019

T3 Ground Breaking Ceremony
(28 Dec. /2019 @ VVIP Terminal Area, Dhaka)

Her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, Hon' ble Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
H.E Mr. Naoki Ito, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh
Hon'ble State Minister Mr. Mahbub Ali, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism
Mr. Mohibul Haque, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism
Air Vice Marshall Mafidur Rahman, Chairman , Civil Aviation Authority
Distinguished Guests, Officials of the Government of Bangladesh, Representatives from Consultants and Contractors.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalam-u-Alaikum, Namasker and Good Morning

It is a great honor for me to be present here at this Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion Project which will become a great example of Japan–Bangladesh cooperation which has long history since the establishment of our bilateral tie in 1972.

Please allow me to refer our history of cooperation in the air transportation sector. You may recall the Chattogram Airport, Hazarat Shah Amanat International Airport as another example of Japan-Bangladesh cooperation. It has been our honor that Her Excellency Prime Minister Hasina kindly inaugurated the Grand Opening of that Airport too in 2001. The fact this Chattogram airport becomes one of the busiest airport in South Asia makes us honored.

On top of Chattogram airport construction, we also have supported to update the security system in 4 airports, Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Jessore.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 2014, Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Hasina initiated "Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt" (or BIG-B) as a mean to guide partnership activities. The BIG-B initiative is going to accelerate trade, investment and regional connectivity. The expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by constructing new terminal building and export and import cargo complex, is going to improve connectivity and attract more trade and investment as BIG-B initiative expects.

Hazrat Shahjala International Airport has shown rapid increase of demand in both passengers and cargo. The passenger increase is at an average 8% per year. The volume increase of import and export cargo is at 12%. After completion of this project, the number of international passengers is expected to increase to 12 million per year and the volume of international cargo will reach 510 thousand ton. Besides terminal expansion, management of handling services will be strengthened. This Airport will be transformed to a major international airport in Asia with highest security and service that Bangladesh should deserve.

Distinguished Guests,

I would like to conclude my remarks by thanking all the efforts made by MOCAT & CAAB officials, which enable the Project progress on truck up to now. I am expecting that all the collaborative efforts by MOCAT and CAAB and Consultants and Contractors will enable this project completed within the stipulated time, by the beginning of 2024, with high standard of construction and safety.

Shobaike Onek Donnobad. Thank you very much.

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