Prime Minister Tarique Rahman moved quickly to advance Bangladesh’s economic interests on the first day of his visit to Japan, seeking the timely completion of major projects, greater investment, technology transfer, skills development and support for priority development projects.
After arriving in Tokyo on Monday for a four-day official visit, Tarique held a series of meetings with Japanese political and business leaders, including former prime minister Taro Aso, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) President Akihiko Tanaka and Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki.
Across the meetings, the prime minister highlighted his government’s plans to improve the investment climate, create employment and expand economic cooperation with Japan. Discussions covered a proposed skills partnership, technology and innovation, agricultural modernisation, energy security and the fertiliser industry.
Tarique is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at her office on Tuesday. The meeting will be followed by a joint press announcement and a luncheon hosted by the Japanese premier, according to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.
The visit aims to deepen bilateral relations, attract Japanese investment and expand trade and development cooperation.
During a meeting with a delegation of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL), led by its president and former prime minister Taro Aso, Tarique outlined his government’s plans to create a business-friendly environment for foreign investors.
He highlighted proposed legal reforms, efforts to improve education and skills development, and measures to encourage Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Against the backdrop of the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries, Tarique sought Aso’s support for increasing Japanese investment, expanding bilateral trade and strengthening technology transfer.
He also expressed hope that Japan would continue supporting Bangladesh’s development priorities and efforts to build a skilled workforce.
Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening political and economic ties and expanding people-to-people contacts.
Tarique thanked Aso for his continued contribution to bilateral relations through his leadership of the parliamentary friendship league. He recalled meeting Aso during a visit to Japan in 2006, when he was a senior joint secretary general of BNP.
Aso, in turn, recalled meeting former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. Tarique praised the former Japanese premier’s contribution to bilateral ties through his roles as prime minister, deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Aso said Bangladesh’s large young population and what he described as the country’s current political stability had created a favourable environment for investment. Japanese companies, he added, were highly interested in investing in Bangladesh.
In a separate meeting with Jica President Akihiko Tanaka, Tarique discussed proposals for a Bangladesh-Japan Skills Partnership and the establishment of a Technological Village and Innovation City.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural modernisation, agro-processing and light engineering.
Tarique recalled his meeting with Tanaka during the latter’s visit to Bangladesh in July and expressed gratitude for Japan’s longstanding cooperation and JICA’s contribution to the country’s socioeconomic development.
Highlighting Japan’s role in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and broader economic progress, the prime minister stressed the importance of continuing cooperation to advance development priorities and improve living standards.
The meeting also focused on completing major ongoing Japan-supported development projects within their scheduled deadlines and accelerating the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting clearance.
Tarique called for continued concessional loans and expanded technical cooperation in line with Bangladesh’s current development needs.
Amid the global energy situation, Bangladesh also requested budgetary support, similar to the assistance provided last year, to help meet its energy needs and strengthen energy security.
Tanaka reaffirmed Jica’s commitment to working with Bangladesh to support its development and prosperity.
Jica Senior Vice-President Hara Shohei and senior agency officials attended the meeting.
Tarique also sought Japanese cooperation in modernising the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) and exploring the possibility of establishing a second fertiliser factory in Bangladesh.
He raised the issues during a meeting with Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, while calling for greater Japanese investment in sectors including information and communication technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
The prime minister highlighted opportunities for foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships, saying his government was committed to reforming regulations, simplifying investment approval procedures and strengthening public-private partnerships to make it easier for Japanese companies to invest and operate in Bangladesh.
He thanked Kakinoki for his role in promoting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and encouraging Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Kakinoki expressed hope that effective implementation of the proposed EPA would expand bilateral trade, attract more Japanese investment and create new business opportunities.
The meeting followed talks in Dhaka on 11 October between Tarique and a Marubeni delegation led by the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer Masayuki Omoto. Those discussions covered information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fertiliser and energy, as well as ways to expand Japanese investment.
Japan has been a major development partner of Bangladesh since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported major infrastructure projects, including the Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development in Matarbari.
The prime minister’s meetings in Tokyo underline Dhaka’s efforts to translate its longstanding partnership with Japan into greater investment, job creation, technology transfer and support for key development priorities.
