Japan is set to provide Bangladesh with budgetary support amounting to approximately Tk 13,000 crore, aimed primarily at improving the country’s railway infrastructure.
The information was revealed in a post on the verified Facebook page of the Chief Advisor on Friday (May 30).
According to the post, Japan will extend $1.063 billion (equivalent to Tk 12,958.38 crore at the current exchange rate) to Bangladesh. The financial support will be allocated to railway development, scholarships, economic reforms, and climate-related sectors.
Out of the total amount, $418 million will be provided as a loan for economic reform and climate initiatives, while $641 million will be used to upgrade the Joydebpur–Ishwardi railway line to a double-gauge, double-track system.
Additionally, a grant of $4.2 million will be offered to support student scholarships.
The announcement follows a bilateral meeting held in Tokyo on Friday (May 30) between Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor to the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the meeting, several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed.
Both leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed full support for Bangladesh’s ongoing reform initiatives, nation-building efforts, and the peaceful transition being led by Dr. Yunus.
Dr. Yunus, in turn, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued assistance in supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth and development.
Earlier, upon arriving at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office for the meeting, Dr. Yunus was accorded a guard of honor.
