Dhaka signs US$ 2.5b ODA deal with Tokyo

Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday signed their 40th ODA deal involving US$ 2.5 billion for implementing five projects to bolster ties between the two countries.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) secretary Monowar Ahmed and Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi signed the ODA deal on behalf of their respective sides.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe witnessed the signing at his office.

Five projects, taken under the 40th Official Development Assistance (ODA) package deal, are Matarbari Port Development Project (1), Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line 1), Foreign Direct Investment Promotion Project (II), Energy Efficiency and Conservation Promotion Financing Project (Phase 2) and Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project (V).

Earlier, prime minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Japanese prime minister's office and held a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

Sheikh Hasina was given guard of honour when she reached the Japanese prime minister's office.

Later in the evening, she will attend the official dinner to be hosted by Shinzo Abe at his residence.