Eight agreements targeted during Prime Minister's Japan visit, four already finalised: Foreign Secretary

Eight agreements and memoranda of understanding have been targeted for signing between Bangladesh and Japan during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's upcoming visit to Japan. Four of them have already been finalised, the Foreign Secretary has said.

The Foreign Secretary disclosed the information while briefing on the preparations for the visit. According to him, the content and drafts of four of the eight planned agreements have been finalised with the consent of both sides, while work is under way to complete the rest before the visit.

The prime minister's visit is being seen as significant for Dhaka-Tokyo relations. The government has stepped up diplomatic efforts to make the visit a success, reflected in the progress made in preparing the agreements.

Japan is a longstanding development partner of Bangladesh. Japanese cooperation in infrastructure, energy, industry, human resources and many other sectors has played an important role in Bangladesh's development journey. Each agreement to be signed during the prime minister's visit is therefore expected to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

The news that four agreements have been finalised ahead of the visit is seen as a positive signal in diplomatic circles. When drafts are settled in advance, signing ceremonies can be completed smoothly during the visit, leaving more room for summit-level discussions.

Relevant ministries and departments of both countries are working to finalise the remaining agreements. With the visit schedule drawing closer, the preparations are now in their final stage.

Alongside the signing of agreements, the summit meeting between the two countries' top leadership during the prime minister's visit is expected to cover the overall bilateral relationship, expansion of trade and investment, and regional issues.

Implementation of the signed agreements will begin after the visit. Details of the sectors covered by the four finalised agreements — and the fate of the remaining ones — will become known during and after the visit.

All in all, the prime minister's Japan visit, with its target of eight agreements, is now the most discussed topic in the country's diplomatic arena. Officials expect the visit to inject new momentum into relations between the two countries.