Goodwill visit of Japanese ships: Envoy hosts reception in Ctg

Iwama Kiminori, ambassador of Japan, and Iwama Tomomi hosted a reception on the occasion of the port visit by JS Uraga and JS Awaji of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) to Chattogram yesterday to strengthen relations with Chattogram communities in Chattogram Club.

The ambassador said that the port visit by Uraga and Awaji is the practical cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh in order to realize "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" for ensuring a rule-based international order, in order to bring stability and prosperity for every country as well as to secure peace and prosperity in the region.

Ambassador Iwama expressed his expectation that Bangladesh would play a vital role in materialising the new vision based on the new pillars since Japan focuses on "Development of an Industrial Value Chain connecting the Bay of Bengal and North Eastern Region of India" as a concrete example of the 3rd pillar of "Multi-layered Connectivity" and emphasized the importance of further strengthening connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region including Chattogram.

He also mentioned that this port visit is also one of the 4th pillars of practical cooperation for realizing FOIP.

"Japan and Bangladesh have started a new voyage toward the next 50 years of bilateral relations from this year since the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations last year," said the statement.

Ambassador Iwama expressed his hope that this port visit would strengthen bilateral relations as well as securing peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Rear Admiral Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, Mahbubul Alam, President, the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Captain NAKAI Eiichi, Commander of Minesweeper Division One, JMSDF graced the occasion.