BM Report:
Bangladesh received a grant aid of 2,294 million Japanese Yen (approximately $15 million) from Japan for the improvement of the Fish Landing Center of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) in Cox’s Bazar.
The signing ceremony took place on March 28th, with IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Mr. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) signing the Exchange of Notes.
A separate Grant Agreement was signed by Mr. ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office, and Mr. Siddiky.
The project aims to upgrade facilities and equipment at the landing center, which have been damaged by riverbank erosion. This improvement will enhance the efficiency of fish processing and storage, potentially leading to increased fish production and exports.
Additionally, a more modern and functional landing center can better serve local fishing communities, providing them with improved working conditions and potentially boosting their livelihoods.
“I’m sure that this project will not only contribute to the Blue Economy, which aims to achieve sustainable economic growth by utilizing marine resources, but also support the Local Economy of host communities who are suffering from difficulties caused by the influx of Rohingya refugees,” said Ambassador IWAMA.
The project’s focus on improved efficiency and infrastructure could create new job opportunities in the fishing and related sectors, potentially providing much-needed economic relief to the region.