JICA's executive senior vice-president calls on PM

Executive Senior Vice-President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yamada Junichi today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban office here this evening.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister requested the JICA official to explore the opportunity of producing drinking water from the wastage water that comes from seawater following salt production by the local people at the project area in Cox's Bazar.

Prime Minister's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed newsmen after the meeting.

The Prime Minister said there will be huge salt in the wastage water and the local people will be benefited by it as they can produce much salt using less water.

The JICA has appreciated the proposal, saying, "It is possible."

The Premier also asked authorities concerned to form an authority to deal with the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) in line with joint communiqu, signed between Bangladesh and Japan on April 26 during her last official visit to Japan.

In reply, the JICA expressed it desire to work with the MIDI upon completion of the Matarbari Power Plant project.

The Prime Minister also suggested to build the Children Library with Japanese assistance beside the old children park in the capital's Shahbagh area.

She also asked the authorities concerned to introduce one stop service in the Araihazar Economic zone area to stop hassle of the investors to fetch more foreign and local investments.

Yamada Junichi apprised the Prime Minister that he had visited Matatbari Power Plant, Deep Sea Port, Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Economic Zone at Araihazar in Narayanganj projects areas.

Junichi appreciated the progress of the mega projects and hoped the Matarbari Power Plant will be inaugurated early next year as 95 percent work of the plant has completed.

Junichi also hoped added that the access road of the Deep Seaport will be opened this year.

PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Sharifa Khan and JICA's Chief Representative in Bangladesh Ichiguchi Tomohide were present at the meeting.