Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged Japan to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi workers while seeking more active Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and increased investment.

He made the call when Japanese Prime Minister's Special Adviser Uno Yoshimasa paid a courtesy call on him at his Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary (DPS) Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

Shahadat said the two sides, in the meeting, discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister urged Japanese authorities to take initiatives to recruit skilled Bangladeshi healthcare workers, agricultural workers and drivers with Japanese language proficiency.

He also sought greater Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and various other sectors. The Prime Minister  called for increased investment by Japanese companies in Bangladesh, saying, "Bangladesh government would provide all-out support if Japan showed interest in establishing another industrial park similar to the one at Araihazar in Narayanganj."

Shahadat Shadhin said the Prime Minister also stressed the need for joint efforts to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also discussed the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, the progress of the ongoing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects and other infrastructure cooperation.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, PM's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the PM's Special Assistant on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.

The Japanese side included Assistant Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakayama Rieko, officials of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.

SM/CitizenTimes