Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to Japan should be one of the historic moments in the two countries' bilateral relationship, elevating it to a "new stage with new dimensions."

"This visit is taking place after two postponements. That's why I myself have big expectations. I do expect that we will have very meaningful and tangible results," he told UNB in an interview at his residence, noting that the relationship should be elevated to a new stage deepening it in several perspectives and widening scopes for collaboration and cooperation, UNB reports.

For example, in terms of economic relations, the envoy said, they should gradually shift the relations from donor-recipient to mutually beneficial "Eco Partner" on trade and investment.

In order to realize that, Ambassador Iwama said they are in discussion on a possible "Economic Partnership Agreement" as Bangladesh is set to graduate from the LDC status in 2026. "I hope our leaders will acknowledge this development."

Asked whether taking the relationship to a new stage means strategic level, the ambassador said people tend to say from comprehensive partnership to strategic level but he does not want to stick to that notion.

"Definitely, we would like to elevate the relationship to a new stage. You can define it as strategic but strategic means we are doing security and defence cooperation," said Ambassador Iwama.

He said the existing economic relations will be deepened with diversification of scopes including people to people relations and that is also something strategic and long-term. "That's my understanding."

In 2014, Bangladesh and Japan reached an agreement on comprehensive partnership and the two countries have made "so many good initiatives" together under the BIG-B initiative.

Expectations on FOIP

Japan hopes that Bangladesh would play a vital role in materialising its new Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision announced by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on March 20 this year.

Japan is eyeing practical cooperation with Bangladesh to realise the FOIP for ensuring a rules-based international order to bring stability and prosperity for every country as well as to secure peace and prosperity in the region.