Govt seeks Japan's support to inaugurate HSIA 3rd terminal on Dec 16

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Tuesday sought Japan's continued support for the inauguration of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Dec 16, saying the government is working to meet the deadline set by the prime minister.

"Japan is one of Bangladesh's oldest and most trusted development partners. Japanese companies have also made significant contributions to the construction of the third terminal," she said.

The minister made the remarks during a courtesy call by Japanese Prime Minister's Special Adviser Uno Yoshimasa at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism at the Secretariat.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, Afroza said the government would complete all necessary preparations and make the terminal operational for passengers within the stipulated timeframe with Japan's continued support.

The meeting discussed the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Japan, bilateral cooperation and Japan's contribution to Bangladesh's infrastructure development, the release said.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme must begin without delay to ensure the successful commissioning of the third terminal ahead of its planned inauguration on Dec 16.

To facilitate the process, he said, the Japanese Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) needs to complete the submission of its tender next month.

Uno Yoshimasa expressed hope that Bangladesh-Japan relations would continue to grow stronger and reaffirmed Japan's support for the HSIA third terminal project and other bilateral initiatives.

Following the meeting, Afroza Khanam and M Rashiduzzaman Millat presented Uno with a scale model of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner to mark the resumption of the national flag carrier's Dhaka-Narita flights.