Japan Remains Bangladesh’s Trusted Development Partner: Envoy

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi. Photo: Collected

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has described Japan as a trusted development and business partner of Bangladesh and expressed optimism that several major Japanese investment initiatives currently in the pipeline will materialise in due course.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) at a hotel in Gulshan on Sunday, the ambassador stressed the importance of good governance, institutional relevance and delivering tangible benefits to businesses in both countries.

Ambassador Saida welcomed the Economic Partnership Agreement signed in February with support from JBCCI and called for industrial diversification, development of upstream industries, removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers and creation of employment opportunities for young people in Bangladesh.

He also stressed the need for a transparent and sustainable relationship between business and politics to support long-term economic growth, while reaffirming the Japanese Embassy’s continued support for JBCCI in expanding bilateral trade and investment.

At the AGM, JBCCI formally announced its new 16-member board of directors for the 2026–28 term, with Kazuiki Kataoka elected as president.

In his acceptance speech, Kataoka thanked the outgoing leadership and said the chamber would focus on highlighting Japan’s contributions to Bangladesh through trade, investment, infrastructure development and business activities.

He also emphasised leveraging the expertise of JBCCI’s nearly 400 member companies through knowledge-sharing sessions, networking and member-driven initiatives.

Outgoing President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan welcomed the participants and highlighted JBCCI’s role in strengthening bilateral ties.

Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA presented the chamber’s major activities from November 2025 to September 2026, noting that membership had grown to 391 companies from 369 in the previous year.

Joint Treasurer Md Jahangir Alam Sharker CPA presented the audited financial report, reflecting what the chamber described as sustainable financial growth.

The AGM also approved the appointment of Shafiq Mizan Rahman & Augustine, Chartered Accountants, as auditors for the 2026–27 financial year.

The newly formed board features Abu Zaman Md Tariqul Islam and Syed Samiul Huq as vice-presidents, Rabiul Alam as secretary general, Kenji Kimura as treasurer, Oliver Kutz as joint secretary general and Saumitra Kumar Mutsuddi as joint treasurer.

Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), Hiroaki Oura, Kabir Ahmed, Atsushi Hirakuri, AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, Kenichiro Kawamoto, Farzanah Chowdhury, Hironori Yamanaka and Mudassir Murtaza Moin were elected as directors, while Manabu Sugawara and Abdul Haque were appointed as advisers to the board.

JBCCI Vice-President Hiroaki Oura delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the outgoing board and wishing success to the incoming leadership.