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Japanese Special Envoy Yohei Sasakawa paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat.Special Correspondent: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said Bangladesh is ready to extend
all-out cooperation for the dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their
homeland."Their return would create opportunities to improve their living
conditions, including education and healthcare, he said. The Prime Minister said this when Japanese Special Envoy for National
Reconciliation in Myanmar Yohei Sasakawa paid a courtesy call on him at his
office at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday.PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said, Prime Minister Tarique
Rahman informed Sasakawa, also chairman of the Nippon Foundation, that
Bangladesh was ready to provide necessary cooperation for the rehabilitation of
the Rohingyas in Myanmar after their repatriation.The Prime Minister called for role of Special Envoy Sasakawa in ensuring the
safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas.The Japanese special envoy said he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with
the President of Myanmar and believed that the Myanmar government was sincere
in resolving the crisis. However, he said the repatriation process was taking
time due to the prevailing complex situation in Rakhine State.Sasakawa assured the Prime Minister that he would make utmost efforts from
his position to help resolve the crisis.The Prime Minister said the Rohingya crisis is one of the major crises
facing Bangladesh and thanked the Japanese government for standing the country
in addressing the issue.He said Bangladesh, a densely populated country, is hosting a large number
of Rohingyas for a prolonged period which have put additional pressure on its
economy, infrastructure and overall management.Sasakawa said he was aware of the burden created by the Rohingya crisis in
Bangladesh and highlighted various grants and humanitarian assistance provided
by Japan to support the displaced Myanmar nationals.The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen multilateral initiatives
and international cooperation for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis,
rather than relying solely on bilateral efforts.At the outset of the meeting, Sasakawa thanked the Prime Minister for giving
him time and recalled the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh
and Japan.Sasakawa said he had been working for nearly 50 years to promote peace and
reduce disparities in different parts of the world. He also briefed the Prime
Minister on his role as the Japanese government's special envoy for national
reconciliation in Myanmar.Thanking Sasakawa for visiting Bangladesh, the Prime Minister appreciated
his long standing humanitarian efforts.Tarique Rahman also sought the Japanese special envoy's cooperation in
establishing a vaccine manufacturing facility in Bangladesh. Sasakawa said he
would work sincerely on the matter.The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is interested in attracting Japanese
investment and that the government is working to ensure an investment-friendly
environment in the country.He also expressed Bangladesh's interest in further improving bilateral relations
with Myanmar.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, PM's adviser for
Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign
Affairs-1 Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2 Shama Obaed Islam
and Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr. Md Shakirul Islam Khan were present.