Bangladesh seeks Japan’s support over quick Rohingya repatriation

Foreign Minister, Dr AK Abdul Momen, has sought strong cooperation from Japan to speed up the process of repatriation of the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.  

Stressing the need to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he requested Japan to leverage its relations with Myanmar to create a conducive environment for the quick repatriation of Rohingyas. 

The Foreign Minister made this request during a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Naoki Ito at his office, said a media statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

In response, the Ambassador referred to the Japanese Foreign Minister, Motegi's recent visit to Myanmar where he called upon the country for early repatriation of the Rohingyas and assured that his government would continue to pursue the matter. 

Japan also reiterated its stance regarding this repatriation at the Conference on Sustaining Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response held on 22 October, the Japanese envoy said.

During the meeting, Minister Abdul Momen appreciated Japan's continued support in strengthening the infrastructural and socio-economic development of Bangladesh, the press statement read.  

The Minister urged Japanese businesses to invest in two special economic zones in Bangladesh— one in Araihazar of Narayanganj district, and the other in Gazipur district. 

He called upon Japanese investors to take the advantage of Bangladesh's high corporate profitability, business-friendly policies, massive domestic market and strategic access to key markets across the world. 

Momen termed Bangladesh as a good destination for investment and eyed further acceleration of cooperation between the two friendly countries. 

The Japanese envoy referred to the newly elected Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga's letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed his country's eagerness to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.