The government aims to inaugurate Shahjalal International Airport's third terminal on Dec 16, Victory Day, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has said.
During a meeting with Uno Yoshimasa, special advisor to the Japanese prime minister, in Dhaka on Tuesday, Afroza said all necessary preparations will be completed on time to ensure the inauguration takes place as scheduled.
The meeting focused on bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and Japan's contribution to Bangladesh's infrastructure and development projects, the ministry said.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said it was essential to begin the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme promptly to meet the planned Dec 16 opening.
He said the Japanese Stakeholder Working Group (Japanese SWG) should complete the submission of tender documents next month to enable the ORAT activities to begin.
Calling Japan one of Bangladesh's oldest and most trusted development partners, Millat said Japanese companies had played a significant role in constructing the airport's third terminal.
He sought Japan's continued support to ensure the terminal is opened to the public on schedule.
Yoshimasa said Japan would continue its cooperation in the third terminal project and other ongoing initiatives in Bangladesh, according to the statement.
Following the meeting, Rita presented Uno with a model of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner to mark the resumption of the airline's Dhaka-Narita flights on Monday after a one-year suspension.