Bangladesh and Japan engaged in their second high-level meeting today to push forward negotiations on the operation and maintenance of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, indicating a fresh impetus towards finalizing a long-pending agreement, as reported by BSS.
The meeting, hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saw the presence of key figures including Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, and Civil Aviation State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, among others.
Notable officials such as Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq also participated in the deliberations.
The Japanese delegation was headed by Assistant Vice Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakayama Rieko.
During the meeting, discussions primarily revolved around the operational and financial aspects of managing the third terminal, as both parties aimed to address pending issues and move closer to a mutually agreeable contract.
Earlier, on March 13, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs involving the Civil Aviation and Tourism Affairs Ministry, CAAB, and a Japanese delegation, Bangladesh urged Japan to promptly submit a revised proposal concerning the operation and maintenance of the terminal.
This meeting marked the initial formal negotiation under the BNP-led government to facilitate the operationalization of the long-delayed terminal on a mutually beneficial basis.
At that juncture, the two sides deliberated on a proposal put forth by the Japanese delegation regarding the terminal’s operation and maintenance.
Subsequently, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat emphasized that both parties were striving for a solution advantageous to Bangladesh while rectifying deficiencies in previous agreements.
A senior official from CAAB informed BSS on Wednesday that the Japanese consortium had addressed Dhaka’s concerns by adjusting its financial proposal, particularly focusing on service charges, operational control, and revenue-sharing matters that had hindered prior talks.
The official hinted that today’s meeting could be pivotal, with hopes high for a conclusive agreement shortly thereafter. “We anticipate finalizing an agreement next week post the April 3rd meeting,” the official mentioned.
The terminal has remained inactive for an extended period due to unresolved issues pertaining to its management and operations.