Japan will provide a grant of $5.45 million (Tk 64.87 crore) for a project aimed at improving air pollution monitoring in Bangladesh.  

A grant agreement and exchange of notes were signed today between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan, according to a press release. 

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division, signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh, while Japanese Ambassador SAIDA Shinichi and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide represented Japan.  

The project, to be implemented from March 2025 to June 2028 by the Department of Environment, will enhance the country's capacity to measure and analyze air pollution, particularly from vehicle emissions. 

Continuous Air Monitoring Stations will be set up in Dhaka and Chattogram to assess their impact, as per the press release. 

Japan is Bangladesh's largest bilateral development partner, having committed $32.61 billion since independence. 

Beyond soft loans, Japan provides significant grants and technical assistance for human resource development, socio-economic progress, and environmental protection.