President Abdul Hamid yesterday reiterated the country’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy as outgoing Japanese Ambassador Masato Watanabe called on him at Bangabhaban, like reported by thedailystar.net.
Referring to the terror attack at Gulshan Holey Artisan Bakery where some Japanese nationals were killed, the president expressed his profound grief at the loss of lives, said President’s Press Secretary M Joynal Abedin quoted him as telling the envoy.
The president expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan, saying, “Since the great Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, Japan has been a tested friend of Bangladesh and also an important development partner.”
He congratulated the Japanese ambassador on completion of his successful tenure in Bangladesh and recalled with gratitude the contribution of Japan to Bangladesh’s Liberation War and recognising independent Bangladesh on February 10, 1972.
“The bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Japan is being enhanced day by day,” the president observed, seeking more Japanese investments in Bangladesh.
Abdul Hamid lauded different development projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), which is playing a very positive role to accelerate the country’s socio-economic progress.
He expressed his content over the bilateral relation with Japan and expected it to be boosted further in the near future.
The ambassador expressed his gratitude to the president for extending all-out cooperation in discharging his duties in Dhaka and also expressed satisfaction over the law and order and other security arrangements in Bangladesh.
Watanabe also thanked the government for hosting the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference successfully and assured the president of providing continued supports to Bangladesh in the days ahead.
He also expressed his sympathy over the losses and damage caused by the recent floods at some parts of Bangladesh.
