Photo: Collected

DHAKA, March 25, 2025 (BSS) - The government of Japan will provide a total of 85,819 million Japanese Yen (approximately $582 million) to Bangladesh for two projects. 

In this regard, 'Exchange of Notes' and 'Loan Agreements' for 'Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project' and 'Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project (VIII)' under 45th Japanese ODA Loan Package (2nd batch) were signed today between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan. 

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance signed the 'Exchange of Notes' and the 'Loan Agreements' on behalf of the government of Bangladesh. 

SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh, signed the 'Exchange of Notes' and ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office, Dhaka signed the 'Loan Agreements' on behalf of the government of Japan.
 
The signing ceremony was held at NEC-2 Conference Room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, said an ERD press release.

The release said to increase food safety testing capacity of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, one reference laboratory, office and training center in Dhaka and two divisional laboratories in Chattogram and Khulna will be constructed under 'Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project'. 

The total cost of the project is Taka 2409.70 crore (GoB Taka 390.78 Cr. JICA Loan Taka 2018.92 Cr). The implementation period is January 2025-December 2034.

Under this Japanese ODA loan package (2nd Batch), Japan will provide 28,699 million Japanese Yen (approximately $194 million) for the project.
 
The rate of interest of this loan will be in preferential term 1.85% for construction, 0.55% for consultancy services, Front End Fee (at a time) 0.20% and repayment period will be 30 years which includes 10 years grace period.

To meet the growing electricity demand and to improve the stable power supply of the country 'Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project' is being implemented at Matarbari Area of Maheshkhali Upazila under Cox's Bazar district. The total cost of the project is Taka 56,693.90 Crore (GOB Taka 7,221.19 cr., JICA Loan Taka 47,945.03 cr., CPGCBL Taka 1,527.68 cr.)

The project implementation period is July 2014 to December 2026. Up to February 2025, physical progress of the project is 92% and financial progress is 86%. 

JICA is providing assistance to this project in different phases. JICA has already provided 655,310 million JPY in 7 tranches. Under this 8thtranche of 45th Japanese ODA loan Package (2nd batch), JICA will provide 57,120 million JPY (approximately $388 million). 

The rate of interest of this loan will be 1.95% for construction, 0.55% for consultancy services, Front End Fee (at a time) 0.20% and repayment period will be 30 years which includes 10 years grace period.

Japan is the largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh. Since independence, Japan has been providing continuous support for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

In line with the Bangladesh government's priorities for achieving economic growth, the Japanese government has so far committed $32.62 billion loan and grant assistance for infrastructure development in different sectors like communications, power and energy, agriculture, education, health and family welfare, water supply and sanitation, rural development, environmental development, and human resource development.