Bangladesh has called on Japan to play a more proactive role in supporting the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, as the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across development, energy, and economic sectors.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman made the appeal during a meeting with a high-level Japanese delegation, including the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam, discussions focused on the Rohingya crisis, ongoing Japanese-funded infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and progress toward implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The prime minister expressed appreciation for Japan's continued support for Bangladesh and urged Tokyo to maintain its diplomatic engagement and strengthen international efforts to facilitate the return of more than one million Rohingya refugees currently sheltering in Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation announced that Japan would provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy. It also conveyed a positive response to Bangladesh's request to increase Japanese financial assistance for energy security from $312 million to $500 million, according to officials.

The two sides also reviewed the progress of several major infrastructure projects financed by JICA, including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines, and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Prime Minister Rahman expressed optimism that construction of the airport's third terminal would be completed by December, paving the way for its inauguration within the year.

Bangladesh and Japan also reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which is expected to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Japanese delegation was led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomaki. During the meeting, the delegation invited Prime Minister Rahman to visit Japan, and he expressed his willingness to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time.

The Bangladeshi side included Finance and Planning Adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Affairs Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Asia-Pacific Overseas Employment Md. Shakirul Islam Khan.

The Japanese delegation also included Ambassador Saida Shinichi, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hirose Aiko, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Takahashi Junko.

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