<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">There is ample opportunity to further expand the economic, trade and commercial relations between Bangladesh and Japan, Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed has said.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh welcomed Japan’s technical and financial investments in Bangladesh under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative which complemented Bangladesh Government’s effort in augmenting infrastructure, communications, power and energy sectors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Further investment from Japan is expected in the coming days as the Japan specific Economic Zone in Narayanganj was inaugurated on December 6 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ambassador.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few mega projects being built under Japanese assistance are at the final stages of completion to strengthen infrastructure for business and improve the country’s ease of doing business rating, the envoy said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Embassy of Bangladesh in Japan celebrated the Glorious 51st Victory Day on Friday with due fervor and solemnity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Shahabuddin said Japan continued to be a true friend and trusted partner in Bangladesh's development pursuit since independence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He underscored that the foundation of our strong bilateral relations was laid down by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his visit to Japan in 1973 and has strengthened our friendship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over the years, especially in the last 13 years her able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through her visits in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 has created a robust and multifaceted relations with Japan, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Especially, he mentioned the bilateral relations was elevated to a “Comprehensive partnership” in 2014. Both the countries are working together to take the relations to a new heigh in the coming days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambassador Shahabuddin thanked all to join the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh in 2021 and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event was graced by the presence of Japanese dignitaries including Ambassador Matsushiro Horiguchi, Ambassador Masato Watanabe, Ambassador Kiyokazu Ota and Professor Otsubo, who gifted the half bust of Bangabandhu to the Embassy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They congratulated Bangladesh on the victory day and talked about their involvement with Bangladesh over all these years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A significant number of Bangladeshi expatriates, Japanese dignitaries, academicians and Embassy officials attended the program held at the Bangabandhu auditorium in the Embassy by following existing Covid-19 health protocol.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The program started in the morning with the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed along with rendition of the national anthem in the presence of community members, Embassy officers and staff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was followed by observance of one minute silence in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, the programme continued with offering special prayer (munajat) for the salvation of the souls of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members, Liberation War martyrs, four national leaders and for the continued peace and prosperity of the country as well as for the wellbeing of the Bangladeshi expatriate Community.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The messages issued by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of Victory Day-2022 were read out by Embassy officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambassador Shahabuddin paid rich tribute to the Greatest Bengali of all times and architect of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all martyrs of 15 August 1975, the four national leaders and all martyred freedom fighters, those who were injured and also the two lac women who lost their dignity in the nine-month long war.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He recalled with deep gratitude the support extended by the government and the people of Japan, and the Friends of Bangladesh here to the liberation movement and struggle for independence. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>