Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi: Photo: Collected-
Metropolis Desk-
Mentioning that Bangladesh expects more large-scale investment from Japan, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday said that Bangladesh is very much eager to boost trade, commerce and investment with Japan following the country’s graduation from the LDCs.
Tipu said considering the LDC graduation, efforts will also be there to sign instruments like Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral trade, commerce and investment.
Japan has also shown great interest in this regard while efforts are going on accordingly.
These were discussed when the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori met the Commerce Minister at his Secretariat office today, said a ministry press release.
The Commerce Minister noted that it would be easier to take decisions on bilateral trade and investment if the businessmen of both the countries made exchange of visits.
Terming Japan as a trusted and friendly nation of Bangladesh, he said that Japan is a major development partner of Bangladesh while Bangladesh enjoys a warm trade and economic relations with Japan for long.
Tipu mentioned that work is going on in full swing to set up some 100 special economic zones in Bangladesh while many are at the completion stage where Japan is also investing in large number.
He said considering the country’s smooth graduation from the LDCs by 2026, deals like PTAs and FTAs would be signed with different countries to enjoy trade related benefits.
Since Bangladesh is going to face many challenges centering the LDC graduation, Tipu said that a joint study group is ready to work to facilitate holding discussions and skilled negotiations with Japan to increase trade related facilities.
In response, the Japanese Ambassador said that Japan attaches priority on its relationship with Bangladesh in the areas of trade, commerce, investment and economy.
Kiminori assured that Japan would continue to stand beside Bangladesh following the country’s LDC graduation in 2026.
Mentioning that Japan has a lot of investments in Bangladesh, the Japanese Ambassador said that Japan is interested to enhance economic relationship with Bangladesh.
He said that Japan has already formed a joint working group with concerned government officials and experts to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Bangladesh.
The envoy said that the process would be much smoother if Bangladesh also forms the same group with skilled officials and experts.
He said Bangladesh has started taking the necessary preparations in the right time to face the post LDC graduation challenges.
Kiminori also assured his country’s continued support towards the development journey of Bangladesh.
Additional secretary to the ministry of commerce (FTA) Nur Md Mahbubul Haque was present on the occasion.
Later, the newly elected board of directors of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry met the Commerce Minister.
Prior to this, the Commerce Minister handed over licenses to the various business bodies.
