A delegation from Japan’s leading business and investment company Marubeni Corporation led by its President and CEO Masayuki Omoto paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to discuss expanding investment in Bangladesh.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat on Sunday.
During the meeting, Marubeni Corporation expressed interest in investing in several promising sectors in Bangladesh. The discussions covered expanding Japanese investment in the country, strengthening bilateral trade relations and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, fertiliser and energy.
Prime Minister Tarique said the government was working to create a favourable environment for domestic and foreign investment to harness the country’s economic potential and generate new employment opportunities. In this context, he welcomed Marubeni Corporation’s investment in Bangladesh’s information technology, fertiliser and energy sectors.
The prime minister noted that Bangladesh had maintained a longstanding business relationship with Marubeni Corporation in jute products. He stressed the importance of expanding the existing relationship and strengthening cooperation in new sectors.
Representatives of Marubeni Corporation said they were giving serious consideration to Bangladesh’s investment potential.
They also discussed the growing potential of Bangladesh’s information technology sector and the development of a skilled workforce in the field.
The government’s plans to equip Bangladeshi engineering graduates with greater skills in information technology and cybersecurity also came up for discussion. The meeting noted that Bangladesh could emerge as an important international service hub by leveraging its skilled workforce, technological capabilities and competitive service offerings.
The proposed launch of an artificial intelligence-based data centre in Bangladesh within the next 12 months was also discussed. The two sides explored Marubeni Corporation’s interest and potential investment in the sector.
Given Bangladesh’s agriculture-based economy, the meeting also examined opportunities to expand the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture. Both sides discussed the scope for Marubeni Corporation to increase its investment and technological cooperation in the sector.
The discussions also covered expanding Marubeni Corporation’s existing investment in Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO). The possibility of investing in a second KAFCO plant in Bangladesh was also considered, with Marubeni Corporation expressing interest in the proposal.
The meeting expressed optimism that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, once implemented, would further strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Among those present at the meeting were State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan.
Representing Marubeni Corporation were Susumu Wakamori, the company’s CEO for Southwest Asia, and Manabu Sugawara, its country head in Bangladesh.
