Staff Correspondent: Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Ito Naoki expressed hope that Dhaka Metrorail (MRT-6) will be launched this year.

He expressed this hope in a video message on the occasion of the New Year on Thursday (January ).

In a congratulatory message, Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said last year was the year of the Corona epidemic, it slowed down all development activities. Despite all odds the bilateral relations between Japan and Nangladesh grew stronger."I am delighted to share with you that Dhaka MRT Line 6 is expected to start operation within this year," stated the ambassador.

Japan is funding Bangladesh's first metro line, the Dhaka MRT which costs $2.8 billion.Dhaka MRT is 20.1km long and will be capable of carrying 60,000 passengers an hour. it will contribute a lot in reducing travel time from Uttara to Motijheel.

.Last year, Japan and Bangladesh signed the largest ever loan package worth over $3.2 billion in August while the mega projects like MRT, Airport Third Terminal, Matarbari Deep Sea Port are making significant progress without considerable delay.

Ambassador Naoki said, "Japan will host the Olympic Games in July this year. I hope Bangladesh will take part in it. At the same time, Bangladesh will bring Olympic medals for the first time.

The ambassador also said that Bangladesh and Japan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in 2022. .