FROM PAGE B1

Meanwhile, JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) said they have just concluded a “highly successful” visit to Japan with the 25-member JBCCI delegation.

“We held two major seminars titled ‘Business Opportunities and Investment in Bangladesh’ in Tokyo and Osaka,” he said.

The seminars, jointly organised by Jetro, the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were attended by hundreds of Japanese companies keen to explore businesses in Bangladesh, Jun said.

He mentioned both sides highlighted the importance of addressing delays in some ongoing major projects, such as the metro rail and the third terminal at Dhaka airport, to preserve the strong partnership Japan and Bangladesh have maintained since independence.

He added that the delegation also held meetings with the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, UNIDO, Marubeni, NEXI, and Chori Co Ltd to discuss ways to increase Japanese investment and expand industrial collaboration.

JBCCI Secretary General Maria Howlader, who joined the visit, said Japanese firms view Bangladesh positively but remain frustrated by bureaucratic delays that slow decision-making.

She said Japanese investors are particularly interested in agro-processing, light engineering and manufacturing.

Japan is the only Asian country where Bangladesh first crossed the $1 billion export milestone about a decade ago. Exports have since risen to nearly $2 billion, supported by growing demand for Bangladeshi-made garments that enjoy zero-tariff access to the Japanese market.

To retain this zero-duty benefit after Bangladesh graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November next year, Dhaka has completed negotiations to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan.