Bangladesh PM's proposed visit to help elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties

President of Japan--Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Kazuiki Kataoka

Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Country Representative and new President of Japan--Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (JBCCI) Kazuiki Kataoka in an interview with Imtiaz Ahmed of the Green Watch said that Japan and Bangladesh have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and trusted partnership for more than five decades. What began as development cooperation has evolved into a comprehensive relationship encompassing trade, investment, infrastructure, economic connectivity.

“From a business perspective, I see tremendous potential for Dhaka-Tokyo relations in the coming years. The proposed visit of  Bangladesh Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman  to Japan  at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Ms Sanae Takaichi is expected to further strengthen confidence among the business communities of both countries and help elevate the relationship to a new stage of economic partnership,” hoped  Kazuiki Kataoka.

Excerpts:

Q: Japan has been one of the major development partners of Bangladesh since 1972. Bangladesh Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman will visit Japan at the invitation of Japan Prime Minister Ms Sanae Takaichi within a couple of months. How do you see Dhaka -Tokyo relations in the coming days?

A: Japan and Bangladesh have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and trusted partnership for more than five decades. What began as development cooperation has evolved into a comprehensive relationship encompassing trade, investment, infrastructure, economic connectivity. 

I understand that the Government of Japan has not made any official announcement regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Japan. However, I am aware that the matter has been reported by the Bangladeshi side through various media outlets.

From a business perspective, I see tremendous potential for Dhaka-Tokyo relations in the coming years. I believe Bangladesh will become an increasingly attractive destination for Japanese companies, both as a manufacturing hub for exports and as a promising market for domestic consumption. Should the visit and summit-level discussions take place, they would further strengthen confidence among the business communities of both countries and help elevate the relationship to a new stage of economic partnership.

Q: Bangladesh-Japan bilateral trade has crossed 3.00 billion US dollars. What is our target to reach bilateral trade within the next five years?

A: Bilateral trade is an important indicator, but it is not the whole story. Many Japanese companies in Bangladesh serve not only the Japanese market but also global and domestic markets. Therefore, our focus is not merely on increasing bilateral trade figures, but on strengthening broader economic ties through trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. In this regard, we also have high expectations for the Bangladesh-Japan EPA."

Q: The BNP government is working on improving the business environment in Bangladesh. What are your observations about the business environment?

A: Bangladesh has many advantages, including a young workforce, a large domestic market, and strong economic potential. We welcome ongoing efforts to improve the business environment and hope to see further progress in areas such as regulatory transparency, trade facilitation, and policy predictability.

These improvements are important not only for attracting new investors but also for enabling existing investors to expand their activities. In many cases, additional investment comes from companies that are already operating in the country. Therefore, addressing the challenges faced by existing investors is one of the most effective ways to attract further investment. Satisfied investors are the best ambassadors for Bangladesh, and their positive experiences can encourage others to invest as well.

Q: Foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh suffered in 2023, 2024, 2025, according to data of the Bangladesh Bank. Do you see more Japanese investment in Bangladesh?  What is the perception of Japanese investors about the investment climate in Bangladesh?

A: According to JETRO's FY2025 survey, 56.9 percent of Japanese companies in Bangladesh intend to expand their operations over the next one to two years, reflecting their strong interest in the country's future potential. However, there remains a gap between business interest and actual investment decisions. Investors continue to face challenges related to energy supply, logistics, customs procedures, and international payments, all of which are important factors in investment decisions. While the political and social environment has become more stable following the February 2026 general election, it is essential to address these long-standing business challenges one by one in order to translate investor interest into actual investment.

Q: Bangladesh has celebrated 54 years of independence this ye