Chief Adviser attends high-level dialogue aimed at strengthening investment and bilateral cooperation
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) co-hosted “Bangladesh Business Seminar” in Tokyo on May 30, 2025 aimed at strengthening economic collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh and investment promotion to Bangladesh.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of interim government of Bangladesh, attended this pivotal event as the Chief Guest. He affirmed a strong commitment to achieving tangible outcomes from ongoing reforms with the historic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan. Dr. Yunus also emphasized the significance of the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) while noting Matarbari port, as the country's first deep-sea port, will enhance reginal connectivity by benefiting Bangladesh’s neighboring countries.
The event was held in association with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation (JBCCEC), with hundreds of participants including business leaders and potential investors from renowned Japanese companies.
Among the dignitaries, Md. Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief adviser’s special envoy for international affairs, and Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals Affairs, were present during the ceremony from Bangladesh side in addition to Chief Adviser. From Japanese side, Shinji Takeuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of METI, and Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman of JBCCEC, were present. On behalf of the organizers, Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, and Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of JICA, joined the event.
Notably, new investment by Japanese companies were officially announced in the event. ONODA inc. will establish its first factory in Bangladesh for assembling gas meter. Bangladesh NAXIS Co. Ltd. will develop a factory to expand its business of manufacturing apparel auxiliary material. Both the factories by ONODA and Bangladesh NAXIS will be constructed in Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) in Araihazar, Bangladesh's first global-level economic zone supported and funded by JICA.
Glafit inc., Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) announced a new partnership aiming at the future establishment of an electric bicycle factory in Bangladesh.
Collectively, these new investment and initiatives announced in the remarkable event are poised to accelerate Japan’s FDI into Bangladesh, powerfully symbolizing Japanese firms' recognition of Bangladesh's substantial market potential and Japanese business sector’s keen anticipation of outcomes from ongoing reforms.
Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO said that with over 300 Japanese companies already operating in Bangladesh, their commitment to Bangladesh is deep. We hope that the Bangladesh government listens to the voices of Japanese companies and respond to their contributions with concrete measures such as economic reform, improvement of the investment environment, and attractive incentives.
Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of JICA, said in the concluding remarks, “JICA is committed to continue its full effort for Bangladesh's inclusive and sustainable development by supporting reform initiatives including the policy reform for investment climate improvement as well as by cooperating for infrastructure development and capacity building”.
