PM visits JERA’s LNG terminal, power plant in Japan

TOKYO – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today visited JERA’s onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and power plant in Futtsu city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan, as part of his visit to the country. The Prime Minister visited the facilities at 2:30 pm local time today, said his Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, ICT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, among others, accompanied the premier.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky and other senior officials were also present. Earlier the day, the Prime Minister and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi held a bilateral summit at the Japanese Prime Minister’s office known as Kantei, to strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership, boost trade and investment, and expand cooperation in key sectors.

The talks focused on enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation in energy, information and communication technology (ICT), railways and infrastructure, deep-sea ports and foreign direct investment, alongside regional and international issues.

Following the summit talks, the two leaders made a joint press announcement on the outcomes of their discussions and exchanged several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in key areas. Takaichi later hosted an official luncheon in honour of Tarique Rahman at the Kantei.

Earlier, Takaichi welcomed the Bangladesh premier upon his arrival at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, where he was accorded a guard of honour by a contingent of Japan’s armed forces, accompanied by the national anthems of the two countries. During the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders.

The prime minister arrived in Tokyo on Monday at the invitation of Takaichi. He was received at Narita International Airport by Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone. On the first day of the visit, he held separate meetings with a high-level Japanese parliamentary delegation led by former prime minister Taro Aso, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Akihiko Tanaka.

The discussions covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, infrastructure development, energy security, advanced manufacturing and skills development. This is Tarique Rahman’s third state visit abroad since taking office on February 17 this year. He previously visited Malaysia and China and travelled to New York in September to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.