Japan, Bangladesh widen BIG-B ambitions, bring India into focus

New Delhi: Bangladesh prime minister Tarique Rahman's meeting with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi during the former's ongoing visit to Japan has placed particular emphasis on their Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt or BIG-B initiative, including the prospect of linking India to the project.

This is expected to expand supply chain networks and regional transport links across South Asia and Southeast Asia spanning Bangladesh's Matarbari deep-sea port, Northeast India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Also Read: Japan to connect landlocked North East with Bangladesh


Japan and Bangladesh decided to upgrade their 2014 BIG-B initiative, into a broader "Big-B for Shared Prosperity" framework, aimed at safeguarding their economic autonomy and addressing geopolitical risks, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting of the two PMs.

The initiative revolves around the Matarbari port being built with Japanese assistance. Tokyo is also focused on taking forward initiatives launched during the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government's rule.

Addressing a joint press meet with Rahman Tuesday, Takaichi said, "Bangladesh and Japan are important partners in realising the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)."

"Prime Minister Rahman is leading the development of the Bay of Bengal region," she said. "Japan is working to strengthen supply chains and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region and promote trade and investment. On this occasion, we confirmed that we would upgrade the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, which forms the foundation of cooperation between our two countries, and advance it as a new strategic cooperation initiative."

Also Read: India-Japan-Bangladesh brainstorm connectivity projects & value chains in Bay of Bengal

Japan, through its investments in infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, is focused on enabling connectivity of India's landlocked northeastern region with the Bay of Bengal.

Meanwhile, India Wednesday welcomed Japan's growing economic and technological engagement with the northeastern states, saying initiatives are underway to further bolster bilateral cooperation.