Japanese urged to invest more in Bangladesh

A delegation of Bangladesh yesterday urged Japanese businesspeople to invest more in the country, especially in its economic zones.

They made the call at the Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Joint Economic Dialogue. Japan hosted the fifth edition of the economic dialogue virtually with an aim to enhance economic relations between the two countries, according to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Md Tofazzal Hossain Miah, principal secretary to the prime minister, led the Bangladesh delegation.

Top officials of the Bangladesh government, including secretaries of different ministries and heads of different departments and trade bodies, were also present at the dialogue.

Hirai Hirohide, vice-minister for the international affairs of Japan's economy, trade and industry ministry, led the Japanese delegation.

Iwama Kiminori, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh; Kokubu Fumiya, chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industries; representatives from different foreign affairs ministry of Japan and other ministries and heads of Bangladesh offices of JICA and JETRO were present at the dialogue.

During the dialogue, speakers mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan in 2014 marked the beginning of a new horizon of economic relations between the two countries.

During the dialogue, the Prime Minister's Office pointed out the policy support and the incentives provided from the government in the agribusiness and logistics sector

During the dialogue, the Prime Minister's Office pointed out the policy support and the incentives provided from the government in the agribusiness and logistics sector.

FH Ansarey, president of the agribusiness division of ACI Limited, and M Masrur Reaz, chairman and chief executive officer of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, presented the investment opportunities in the agribusiness and logistics sector of Bangladesh respectively.

The dialogue discussed plans to expand the business of Japanese investors in Bangladesh and expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the activities of Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Narayanganj.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority extended an invitation to Japanese investors to consider investing in Bangladesh, including Maheshkhali Economic Zone in Cox's Bazar.

The Japanese delegation highlighted their existing investment in Bangladesh as well as on the future plan of investment and cooperation in different sectors of Bangladesh on priority basis, according to the press release.

At the same time, they briefed on different measures to be taken by Bangladesh to expand Japanese investment.

Bangladesh assured Japan that it will provide all kinds of cooperation from the government's side to attract and expand Japanese investment in the country and informed Japan about the progress in areas that were previously highlighted by Japanese investors.

Japan has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the programmes implemented in Bangladesh and has expressed hope that this progress will continue in the future without interruption.

Both parties concluded the dialogue expressing hope that through the upcoming visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Japan the economic relations between the countries will reach a new height, the press release said.