Bangladesh will need coordinated trade, industrial and investment policies to fully benefit from the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), policymakers and analysts said at a seminar on Monday.
The EPA is expected to expand bilateral trade, strengthen investment ties and help Bangladesh integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains.
The discussion took place at a seminar titled “Maximising the Opportunities of the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)” organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.
The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, development partners and business leaders from Bangladesh and Japan.
Japan Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi attended the seminar as the guest of honour and described the Bangladesh–Japan EPA as a milestone achieved through sustained dialogue between the two countries.
He said the EPA is Bangladesh’s first full-fledged economic partnership agreement and Japan’s first comprehensive economic partnership agreement with a least developed country.
The ambassador said the EPA goes beyond tariff reductions by establishing rules and procedures to facilitate trade and investment.
He expressed hope that the framework would encourage greater foreign direct investment and strengthen Bangladesh’s industrial capabilities.
Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Fahmida Khatun delivered the welcome remarks and chaired the seminar.
Presenting CPD’s analysis of the agreement, she said improved market access and deeper economic cooperation could support export diversification and attract greater foreign investment.
She added that Bangladesh would need coordinated policies prioritising trade facilitation, industrial upgrading and supportive fiscal measures to fully realise the EPA’s potential.
Bangladesh Planning Commission General Economics Division (GED) Member Secretary Monzur Hossain discussed Bangladesh’s industrial development and highlighted policy challenges as the country prepares for graduation from least developed country status.
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Emeritus Professor Kenichi Ohno shared international experiences on industrial policy and structural transformation.
He said sustained industrial growth requires strong institutions, continuous policy learning and effective coordination between government and industry.
Institute of Developing Economies Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO) Bangkok Research Centre President Yasushi Ueki discussed lessons from industrial development in ASEAN and East Asia.
He said infrastructure development, foreign direct investment and supplier networks helped countries integrate into global production systems.
Participants said the Bangladesh–Japan EPA marks an important milestone in bilateral economic relations.
They added that turning the EPA’s potential into tangible economic gains will require coordinated policy reforms, stronger institutional capacity and sustained collaboration among government, industry and development partners.
