Dhaka Bureau: Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Birmuktijoddha Tipu Munshi, MP, said Japan is a friendly country.Bangladesh has a long history of trade and economic relations with Japan. Japan is Bangladesh’s major development partner. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the work of building 100 Special Economic Zones in important parts of the country is progressing rapidly. Many of the works are nearing completion.Japan has also invested here. Bangladesh expects more investment from Japan. The Commerce Minister said Bangladesh will graduate from LDC in 2026, and then we are working to make trade agreements like PTAs or FTAs to get trade benefits from different countries. Then Bangladesh will have to face many challenges. A Joint Study Group is ready to work to facilitate dialogue and effective negotiation with Japan on issues related to trade facilitation. After LDC graduation, trade cooperation agreements like an FTA or a PTA will be worked on to increase business, trade, and investment between both countries. Japan has already expressed great interest in this matter, and accordingly, work is underway. Exchange visits between businessmen and investors from both countries will facilitate trade growth and investment decisions.
The Minister of Commerce said these things during an exchange of views with the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Dhaka, Aiwama Kiminori (Odago Karsarharat), today (January 29, 2023) in his office room at the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Secretariat.
The Japanese Ambassador, Aiwama Kiminori, said that the Japanese government gives Bangladesh more importance in trade, investment, and economic development. After Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in 2026, Japan will be by Bangladesh’s side. Japan has many investments here, and it is keen to further increase economic relations with Bangladesh. Japan is forming a joint working group with government officials and relevant experts to determine the steps to be taken to sign the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). If Bangladesh also forms a group with similar skilled officers and experts, the work will be much easier. It will have skilled and experienced representatives. so that it can proceed in the right way. He said that Bangladesh has started preparing to face the challenges after LDC graduation at the right time. Japan will continue all kinds of cooperation for the development of Bangladesh.
At this time, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce (FTA) Noor Md. Mahbubul Haque was present.
Later, the Commerce Minister interacted with the newly elected Board of Directors of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Earlier, he attended the license handing over ceremony for various trade organizations as the chief guest in the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce.
