The President's Activities

From Left, JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka and Bangladeshi Minister of Planning AHM Mustafa Kamal

JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka held talks with Bangladeshi Minister of Planning AHM Mustafa Kamal at JICA Headquarters in Tokyo on Nov. 19.

The talks began with Mr. Kamal expressing appreciation for past Japanese cooperation. He said Bangladesh has achieved results in the fields of education, health and poverty reduction since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, and all of JICA’s cooperation, including future efforts to achieve a society without urban-rural disparities, is contributing to the development of the country.

Mr. Kitaoka replied that Bangladesh faced difficulties at the time of its independence, but it has achieved remarkable economic development, particularly since the late 2000s.

Mr. Kamal said that basic economic infrastructure improvements that accelerate economic growth, such as the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project in the capital city, are in a momentous phase. He then touched on the geographically strategic location of his country, between India and Myanmar, saying it is essential to improve connectivity with neighboring countries.

Mr. Kitaoka talked about new initiatives to speed up ODA loans recently announced by the Japanese government, adding that JICA is willing to do its utmost to cooperate.

JICA plans to continue providing cooperation for the inclusive growth of Bangladesh to contribute to improving such infrastructure as electric power and transport (urban transport, roads, bridges and ports) as well as to make efforts to overcome social vulnerabilities, such as through poverty reduction, governance, education and mother-child health, in line with the country's Five Year Plan (2016-2020).