New Japanese envoy presents credentials to president

Terming Bangladesh a country with tremendous potential, newly appointed Japanese Ambassador Masato Watanabe said he is eager to work with Bangladesh government to further improve investment, and enhance stability and democracy.

Watanabe, who presented his credentials to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban yesterday, made the remarks in a message issued immediately after his assumption of the ambassadorship.

Ambassador Watanabe joined Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1980 and most recently served as consul-general of Japan in San Francisco. Prior to that assignment, he was vice president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Referring to the visits of the two countries' prime ministers last year, he said both sides promised to enhance bilateral relationship by nurturing the "Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership".

"I will make sincere efforts to strengthen and develop the time-tested bilateral relations even further," said Watanabe.

"I intend to work actively with the Bangladesh government as well as the country's private sector with a view to further improve investment and climate and further enhance stability and democracy," he said.