Today, newly appointed Japanese Ambassador Mr. Naoki Ito has presented his letter of Credence to the Honorable President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Abdul Hamid at a special ceremony organized at Bangabhaban.
Upon his assumption of the Ambassadorship to Bangladesh, Mr. Itoissues the following message;
As the newly appointed Ambassador, I feel honored and humbled to take the task of representing Japan in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.On behalf of the Government of Japan, I am dedicated to serving as a bridge between Japan and Bangladesh for further enhancing our bilateral relations towardthe 100thbirth anniversary of Bangabandhu SheikhMujibur Rahman in 2020 along with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence in 2021 and the 50th anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in 2022.
Bangladesh is now on a historical stage of opportunity for development. Its GDP growth rate in the past ten years marked as one of the highest in the world. With a young and diligent population, Bangladesh has prominent potential of growth.This year, the amount of Official Development Assistance to Bangladesh from Japan countsaround two hundred seventy-five billion yen, which is equivalent to 2.5 billion US dollars. Bangladesh is now the second largest recipient of Japan’s ODA in the world in FY 2017, and Japan will continue to be the biggest bilateral development partner for Bangladesh. With the expectation of increase in trade and investment, the Sonar Bangla attractsaround 300 Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh. I hope that we, Embassy of Japan, will be of help at any time they are in need with the aim of improving Bangladeshi business environment.
I would like to express my sincere sympathy and respect to the Japanese nationals who fell victim in the terror attacks in 2015 and 2016. I will devote myself to ensure a safe and secure environment for Japanese citizensin close cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my utmost respect to the Government of Bangladesh for generously accepting and protecting the displaced persons in Cox’s Bazar. Furthermore, I express our determination to continue extending necessary support to the Government of Bangladesh with a view to realizing the early repatriation of the displaced persons to Myanmar in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner under UN cooperation.
In this rapidly changing society in Bangladesh, I continue to work for strengthening cultural and people-to-people relations. My sincere hope is our works will lead to a deeper mutual understanding and closer relationship between our two nations.