Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury sought Japan's cooperation in increasing investment and employment through the development of Chattogram's infrastructure sector.
During a courtesy call with Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori at the CCC office in city’s Tigerpass on Monday, CCC Mayor said that Chattogram is historically famous as a port and trading city. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made huge investments in various sectors from construction of tunnels to increase the capacity of the port to exploit this trade potential of Chattogram.
“Prime Minister has allocated a project of 2500 crore taka for the development of Chattogram. Through this project, advanced communication system is being developed in Chattogram which will make Chattogram the commercial hub of the world. I want Japan to support this development.” The mayor said.
He said, I am trying to build better quality communication channels and logistics to exploit the huge commercial potential of Chattogram due to its geological location. Japan's public and private development organizations including JICA can stand by Bangladesh in this regard.” He added.
“I want to build an aesthetic Chattogram by utilizing Japan's economic support as well as technical knowledge and experience.” He said.
Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori assured the mayor that along with JICA, Japanese commercial companies are contributing to the infrastructure development of Chattogram by investing in the private-public partnership model. This trend will continue in the future.
Expressing Japan’s interest in expanding trade in Bangladesh, he said that there are many Japanese companies investing in Chattogram and Mirsharai EPZs. At present, 20 major industrial groups including Nippon Steel, one of Japan's largest corporations, are conducting commercial activities in Chattogram and many more are interested in investing.
“This investment can increase many folds with sufficient support. Chattogram can be a paradise for Japanese investment if administrative complications including customs are reduced in terms of port and road use.” The Ambassador said.
The ambassador commented that Japan has always been cooperating to accelerate the development of Bangladesh by exploiting the immense potential of the port city of Chattogram.
Meanwhile, the delegation accompanying the Japanese military ships JS Uraga and JS Awaji, which visited Chattogram, told the mayor that Japan wants Bangladesh's cooperation in realizing its determination to build a peaceful world through mutual cooperation.
CCC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Tauhidul Islam, Chief Education Officer Lutfun Nahar, Mayor's Private Secretary and Chief Cleaning Officer Muhammad Abul Hashem, Additional Chief Engineer Munirul Huda, Supervising Engineer Biplab Dash, Executive Engineer Mirza Fazlul Quader, Md. Shahinul Islam, Education Officer Ujala Chakma, Public Relations and Protocol Officer Aziz Ahmad, Captain Nakai Eiichi in command of the Japanese fleet, Non-Resident Defense Attache Captain Tachibana Hiroshi, Commander Matsunaga Akihito, Tahuchi Takuma, First Secretary Iigai Yuka, Second Secretary Kobayashi Yoshiaki were present.