The foreign minister spoke of the potential of the newly endorsed South Asian Free Trade Area while talking to Governor of Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) Kyosuke Shinozawa who made a courtesy call on the minister at his office.

During the meeting, the foreign minister stressed the need for having annual consultation at the ministerial level for strategic planning to further develop the economic relations between the two countries.

"Japan is one of the most important friends of Bangladesh," he said and expressed gratitude to Japan for its outstanding contribution to infrastructure development, especially in big bridges, road communications, telecommunications, power and agriculture sectors.

He also recalled a commendable help of Japan to Bangladesh particularly during natural calamity.

Morshed Khan also sought cooperation of Japan in constructing the Karnaphuli Bridge in Chittagong, which is a natural economic hub of the country. They also discussed Japanese-funded projects in Dhaka and agreed to work together for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

The JBIC Governor thanked the government of Bangladesh for warmly receiving him in Dhaka and reaffirmed continued economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the JBIC.

Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Matsushiro Horiguchi was also present.