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JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan Jun said a committee named Market Strategy for Development of Japan Markets has been formed to help expand trade and business relations between the two countries.

Japan could serve as an important market for Bangladesh as the country seeks to offset the slowdown in garment exports in recent months. Bangladesh is also looking to expand exports to Asian markets amid volatility in global supply chains. The newly formed committee and BGMEA discussed preparing a model list of BGMEA-affiliated supplier companies, he said.

Under the EPA, Bangladeshi garment products will continue to enjoy duty-free access to the Japanese market from the date of implementation. At present, Bangladeshi apparel exports benefit from preferential market access under the least developed country (LDC) category, and Japan has already extended these facilities until 2029 following Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the association aims to increase garment exports to Japan to $3.0 billion from the current $1.4 billion within the next one to two years, with Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea and Turkey now receiving greater focus as part of export market diversification efforts.