State Minister calls for establishment of Japan Foundation office in Bangladesh

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque has called for establishment of Japan Foundation office in Bangladesh. He made this call during a courtesy call on Japan Foundation Managing Directors Koike Wakao and Hari Yuko at his office at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment on Wednesday (April 1).
The meeting was held at the special invitation of the State Minister to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and the possibility of establishing a permanent office of the Japan Foundation in Bangladesh. The State Minister said in the meeting that Bangladesh’s relations with Japan are very deep and historical.
JICA is one of our important development partners. We are committed to making the signed Memorandum of Understanding on sending skilled workers to Japan a success. If the Japan Foundation establishes an office in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will provide all necessary support.
Ministry Secretary Md. Moktar Ahmed emphasized on the skills of the workers and said that language is not the only major obstacle in employment in Japan; proper knowledge of Japanese culture and customs is also important. If the training is provided directly by Japanese trainers, the workers will easily get used to the working methods of that country.
Professor Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka University suggested that the Japanese Embassy be contacted quickly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying the areas of Japanese assistance. He emphasized that a clear plan should be prepared in advance by the government.
Representative of the Japan Foundation, Koike Waka, also praised the sincerity of Bangladesh and said that he would definitely convey the message of the government’s interest in opening an office in Bangladesh to their higher authorities. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Md. Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary Md. Hedayetul Islam Mandal and other senior officials were present at the meeting.