Japan-Bangladeslt trade relationship has come under the spotlight right in t^e nick of time Despite being the biggest contributor to Bangladesh's developmental activities. Japan is yet to make its entrepreneurial presence felt here in a robust sense. In fact, bilateral trade between the two coun tries has been showing a lower growth rate compared to that of world trade of Bangladesh in the recent years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina s cordial offer to the Japanese businessmen for increased investment In Bangladesh in the eighth meeting of Bangladesh Japan Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation yesterday was a study in propriety and timeliness.

Bangladesh Japan trade relationship is not only marked by a huge yet unexplored scope for investment in Bangladesh but also by what many seem to think an avoidable imbalance. The PM hit the nail on the head when she called for the relocation of Japanese manufacturing units, in Bangladesh with buy-back arrangements. Viewed from the angle of human resource, our only and obvious point of strength and economic constraint on the other side of the coin, the offer seems to be the only real istic and pursuable policy.

For all its practicality, the urge for greater Japanese participation in investment is still an idea easier said than done. There are problems as the leader of the Japanese delegation alluded to during the discussion. The three factors the Japanese entrepreneurs deemed as obstacles on the way to enhanced investment are political uncertainty, infrastructural inadequacy and bureaucratic red tapism. One hopes the cordial call of the Prime Minister will make light of these and open a new avenue for Japan-Bangladesh relationship.