Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has sought Japan’s cooperation in the reform and restructuring of the Bangladesh Police.
The Minister requested this assistance when the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, SAIDA Shinichi, called on him at his office in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat this morning.
The Minister stated, “Japan is a tested friend and one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh. The country has invested in several major projects, including the Metrorail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). There are many areas of cooperation with Japan. Japan has previously worked on the traffic safety of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). In the future, Japan can provide support in police reform and restructuring. We will provide several formal proposals in this regard.”
During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest were discussed, including law and order, security, police restructuring, traffic control, trade, and investment.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the Ambassador, and the Ambassador congratulated the Minister on assuming his new portfolio. Assuring Japan’s continued cooperation in the infrastructural development of Bangladesh, the Ambassador said, “The Traffic Safety Project of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) was completed last year. We are interested in further collaboration with the Police and the DMP.”
Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Holy Artisan attack, the Ambassador requested the Minister to take the necessary measures to enhance the security of Japanese citizens residing in Bangladesh. In response, the Minister said, “We are prepared to provide security to all Japanese citizens, including investors and businessmen, living in Bangladesh.” He added that any request from the Japanese side would be considered with the highest priority.
The meeting was attended by Rebeca Khan, Joint Secretary (Political-1) of the Ministry of Home Affairs; KOMINE Ken, First Secretary (Political) of the Japanese Embassy; MOCHIDA Yutaro, First Secretary (Economic), among others.