Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged Japan to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi workers and sought greater Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and increased investment.
He made the call when Japanese Prime Minister's Special Adviser Uno Yoshimasa paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, according to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
The prime minister urged Japanese authorities to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi healthcare workers, agricultural workers and drivers with Japanese language proficiency.
He also sought greater Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and other sectors.
Calling for increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh, Tarique said the government would provide full support if Japan was interested in establishing another industrial park similar to the one at Araihazar in Narayanganj.
Shahadat said the prime minister also emphasised the need for joint efforts to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The meeting also discussed the inauguration of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, the progress of the ongoing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects and other infrastructure cooperation.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, the prime minister's adviser on finance and planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the prime minister's Special Assistant on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan attended the meeting.
The Japanese delegation included Assistant Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakayama Rieko, officials from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.