Democratic and Administrative Structure
'Japan can be model for S Asia'
A Japanese-disciplined democratic and administrative structure can serve as a model for the South Asian region, observed an international conference in the city yesterday.
The two-day conference styled “Prospects for peace and security through regional cooperation in 21st century South Asia: The role of japan”, which concluded yesterday, also observed that the Japanese policy of harmonising the South Asian region can be used to promote stability and development in the region.
Bangladesh Institute of International Strategic Studies (BIISS) with support from Japan Foundation organised the conference at BIISS auditorium in the city marking the 40th anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Bangladesh and Japan.
South Asia and Japan can forge a new relationship, which can put the whole gamut of Asian politics in a positive direction, the programme observed.
Scholars, academics and professionals from Bangladesh, Japan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated in the conference, in which seven key-note papers were presented covering issues related with the conceptual analysis of regionalism in South Asia, Japan's foreign policy towards Asia in the 21st century, the role of Japan in promoting regional cooperation in South Asia and relation between Japan and the South Asian countries.
The summary proceedings of the conference recommended that trade liberalization, educational cooperation, removal of visa procedure complexities, common food bank and creation of central university can enhance the understanding and connectivity between the people of South Asia and Japan.
Also, media can be used as an important tool for this, it said.
The conference said Japan's ODA has emphasised on the development of economic infrastructure like hydroelectricity, roads, power transmission stations, etc. whereas the focus of the Japanese help should be more on human development.
Saarc-Japan Special Fund can be used as a tool in alleviating poverty in South Asia, the conference recommended.
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