Dhaka, July 19 (UNB) – Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Thursday hoped that the Special Economic Zones, being set up in Bangladesh, will be an attractive option for the Japanese investors.

She expressed the hope when Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Hiroyuki Ishige, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, called on the Foreign Minister at her office.

Agreeing with the Foreign Minister, the JETRO chief said that the two sides would continue to exchange views on the possibility of setting up an exclusive Special Economic Zone meant for the Japanese investors only.

Welcoming the JETRO chairman, Dipu Moni said the relations between Bangladesh and Japan have been extremely well and there has been a remarkable surge of Japan’s interest in Bangladesh in recent times.

“This has been a very good time to advance the economic and trade relations of the two countries for mutual benefit,” she said.

Hiroyuki Ishige stated that following the very successful visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan in May 2010, the investors of Japan have taken renewed interest in the prospective areas of investment in Bangladesh.

As a result, JETRO Office in Dhaka, a trade and investment facilitation centre, has turned out to be one of the most busy JETRO outposts worldwide, he said.

Dipu Moni told the JETRO chief that Bangladesh would do its utmost to assist the Japanese investors and with that in view, the Foreign Office would like to have more intense liaison with the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.

She assured him of all possible assistance to strengthen the trade and economic ties between the two countries.