Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan and Bangladesh signed and exchanged notes for 575 million yen in Official Security Assistance grant aid in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The aid will help to provide patrol boats for the Bangladeshi Navy, which is expected to strengthen its capabilities for monitoring, surveillance, and disaster relief, and to contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of maritime security in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific region.

Bangladesh is regarded as a “Strategic Partner” by Japan and lies near important sea lanes for Japan, which sees a need for Bangladesh to improve capabilities for monitoring and surveillance in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.

The signing was completed by Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh IWAMA Kiminori and Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division of the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh.

Official Security Assistance was established by Japan in 2023 as a new cooperation framework for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries with the aim of deepening Japan’s security cooperation with various countries, creating a stronger security environment, and contributing to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security by enhancing security and deterrence capabilities through the provision of equipment and supplies, and assistance for the development of infrastructure.