Bangabandhu Industrial City to get Japanese cherry blossom

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority has come up with a plan to make a Sakura garden at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City as part of its beautification project.

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the world-renowned Japanese company Sojitz Corporation and Energypack Consortium of Bangladesh on Thursday.

For the first time in Bangladesh, Sojitz Corporation will carry out a feasibility study for the establishment of Sakura plantation.

The preliminary studies include selection of suitable species of Sakura flowers for the garden, provision of feedback on suitable environment for its cultivation and formulation of plans for the implementation of gardening which will be completed in three parts -- technical study, implementation study and financial proposal.

Japan involvement in the Sakura project demonstrates the consolidation of its fraternal ties with Bangladesh.

Beza will provide information required for Sakura garden.

Citing the example of Sakura plantation in different parts of the world, Beja Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury said, "Beza is very proud to take such an initiative for the first time in Bangladesh."

"People will be able to enjoy the beauty of Sakura flowers."

Paban mentioned that the preliminary study will help know how to cultivate this flower here in this tropical environment.

If the initiative is successful, such garden will be set up near Sheikh Hasina Lake and along the super dikes in Bangabandhu Industrial City while thousands of tourists would flock to see the blooming Sakura flowers.

The Beja high-up congratulated Sojitz Corporation for the initiative and assured the latter of all cooperation in this regard.

Joining the meeting online, Ken Kuribayashi, executive officer of Sojitz Corporation, thanked Beza and hoped the survey would be completed successfully.

On the day, another agreement was also signed with the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) to prepare an environmental and social impact study and rehabilitation plan following the IFC's Performance Standard to facilitate investment in Japanese Economic Zone.