Dhaka, May 03 (UNB) - BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday night expressed the hope that Japan will keep on playing its special role in rapid economic development of Bangladesh. 

She expressed the hope when visiting Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada made a courtesy call on Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence at 9:30 pm.

After about 50 minutes` meeting, BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhry told reporters that the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister emphasised maintaining political stability in Bangladesh for its development and ensuring an atmosphere for increased in foreign investment.

He said Okada hoped that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held with the participation of all political parties and the country will remain stable.

Replying to a question about investment in construction of Padma Bridge, Shamsher Mobin Chowhdury said the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister said that Japan will invest in any sector of Bangladesh if a corruption-free atmosphere is ensured in the future.

He said Khaleda emphasised that special facilities should be provided to Japanese investors for their investment in Bangladesh and said if her party is voted to power in the future it will ensure that for the  investors of Japan, a tested friend of Bangladesh.

BNP chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed were also present at the meeting.