Matarbari project to boost energy security, trade

During a five-day visit to Bangladesh, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) President Tanaka Akihiko underscored the strategic importance of the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative.

After his trip to the project’s power plant and deep seaport, Tanaka said it would play a pivotal role in strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security and trade connectivity while advancing Japan’s “Updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision.

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Concluding his visit yesterday, he reiterated Jica’s long-term commitment to Bangladesh’s development, underscoring Japan’s continued support for the country’s flagship infrastructure projects.

During his stay, Tanaka held talks with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, during which both sides reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations and discussed ongoing and future cooperation.

The discussions centred on major Japanese-backed projects, including the Dhaka Metro Rail, the expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative and the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone.

Tanaka visited several Japanese-funded projects, including the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Both sides also highlighted the importance of the 50 billion Japanese yen emergency support package under the POWERR Asia initiative to bolster regional energy security.

As part of his itinerary, Tanaka visited several Japanese-funded projects, including the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which is being financed through Jica’s concessional loan programme.

Once operational, he said, the terminal is expected to transform Bangladesh’s main international gateway by enhancing passenger services while supporting trade, tourism and investment.

Tanaka also attended the 10th memorial ceremony marking the deaths of the seven Japanese nationals killed in the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in July 2016. The ceremony paid tribute to the victims and reaffirmed the shared values of peace, resilience and friendship between Bangladesh and Japan.

During the visit, he met Khalilur Rahman, minister for foreign affairs; Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for foreign affairs; Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives; Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, minister for finance and planning; Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, minister for power, energy and mineral resources; and Shaikh Rabiul Alam, minister for roads, transport and bridges, who also oversees the shipping and railways portfolios.

In Cox’s Bazar, Tanaka observed humanitarian operations in the Rohingya camps and Jica-supported livelihood projects. He met the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner to discuss the humanitarian situation and ongoing assistance.

He later inspected the Fish Landing Centre under construction in Cox’s Bazar, financed through Jica grant assistance to improve post-harvest handling and quality management, and visited the Fisheries Livelihood Enhancement Project along the Bay of Bengal coast.

The delegation also visited a Jica-supported solid waste management initiative and the Japanese J-Drum technology being implemented by Dhaka North City Corporation, highlighting the agency’s broad-based development partnership with Bangladesh.