A welcome comeback

It is a piece of welcome news that both the pre-qualified bidders---Marubeni Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation, two large Japanese conglomerates, submitted their bids for the Matarbari coal-fired power plant Tuesday last.
The submission of bids ends the uncertainty over the Japanese companies' involvement with some large projects in Bangladesh following the terror attack on the Holey Artisan café at Gulshan in July last. A total of 29 people, including 18 foreigners, were killed in the incident. The foreigners included nine Italians and seven Japanese nationals.
The corporations in question showed their reluctance to take part in the 1200 megawatt power plant, one of the top priority projects, being implemented by the government with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Most Japanese nationals involved with various development projects in Bangladesh went home following the Gulshan terror attack, raising grave concern among the policymakers.
There was, at least, one valid reason to be concerned. Japan has committed a substantial amount of fund for a number of mega projects, including the much-hyped metro rail in Dhaka city. Withdrawal of consultants and officials of the participating companies following the terror attack understandably had made all concerned worried. Though Japan did not say anything officially, things turned quite uncertain.
The return of the two Japanese companies does demonstrate the fact that the Japanese government is satisfied with the improvement in the security situation in Bangladesh. It is obvious that the implementation of a number of JICA-funded projects will be delayed by several months, but the participation of the Japanese companies in the Matarbari coal project would send positive signals to other foreign investors and donors about the security situation in Bangladesh.
The death of civilians and police personnel in the Gulshan terror attack had come as a great shock to everyone. But the killing of foreign nationals who were here for different purposes, including business, were particularly very painful and embarrassing.
Japan has always been a good friend of Bangladesh. It is the largest bilateral donor. Though it is hard to explain in words, the fact remains that Bangladeshis have developed a deep liking for Japan and its people. The liking is not because the latter is a provider of large development funds. It is something spontaneous.
There is no denying that the recent acts of terror by radical elements, to some extent, have undermined the international image of the country and shaken the confidence of businesses. However, some prompt and decisive actions to root out terrorist elements have helped restoration of business confidence. The return of the Japanese corporations is pointer to that fact. Hopefully, other investors and businesses from Japan and other countries would follow suit and make contributions to Bangladesh's efforts to become a middle-income country within the targeted time.