PM hopes Dhaka airport's 3rd terminal to be ready by December
Tarique sought Japan’s continued support and a stronger role in the international community to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine State of Myanmar
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed hope that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be completed within the scheduled timeframe, allowing it to be inaugurated by December this year.
He made the remarks yesterday when a Japanese delegation led by Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomaki met him at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat.
The delegation included Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko, according to a release from the PM's Press Wing.
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During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress of several Jica-funded development projects in Bangladesh, including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, MRT lines and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Japan also responded positively to Bangladesh's request to increase its energy support package from $312 million to $500 million to help meet the country's energy needs.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to expedite implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The Japanese delegation also informed the prime minister that Japan will provide five patrol boats for the Bangladesh Navy.
The Rohingya crisis was also discussed at the meeting.
PM Tarique sought Japan's continued support and a stronger role in the international community to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
The Japanese delegation invited the prime minister to visit Japan, and he expressed hope that the trip would take place at a mutually convenient time.
Meanwhile, at a road management meeting of Dhaka South City Corporation yesterday, PM Tarique discussed a proposed infrastructure project aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Dhaka through the use of circular roads and waterways.
PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the meeting was briefed on how the project could help ease traffic congestion in the capital.
He said the prime minister was also updated on the progress of the Inner Circular Ring Road project.
The proposed 12-kilometre ring road will run from Gabtoli to Babubazar and from Postogola to Demra. Construction is currently underway on sections in Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh and Kamrangirchar, with around 45% of the work completed.
Officials said the ring road would allow traffic between Dhaka and Sylhet, Mawa and Chattogram to bypass inner city roads, reducing pressure on the capital's road network.
The meeting also discussed bringing the 110-kilometre circular waterway around Dhaka into operation. Officials said it could reduce road pressure by enabling easier movement across the city.
Experts said the proposed water transport system would be environment-friendly, energy-efficient and time-saving, as the vessels would be powered by electricity.
