Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, stressing the country’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment.

The Prime Minister made the call during a courtesy meeting with Masumi Kakinoki, chairman of Marubeni Corporation and president of the Japan-Bangladesh Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC), at 3:45 pm local time (12:45 pm Bangladesh time) today.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman praised Kakinoki’s leadership in strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan. He also thanked him for his role in expanding Japanese investment in Bangladesh and improving business relations between the two countries as chairman of Marubeni Corporation.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need to further strengthen the economic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan.

Kakinoki expressed the hope that effective implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries would help expand bilateral trade, increase Japanese investment and create new business opportunities.

The Prime Minister invited Japanese investors to explore opportunities in promising sectors, including ICT, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. He said there were significant opportunities for investment in these areas through foreign direct investment (FDI) and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Tarique Rahman also stressed the importance of Japanese cooperation in modernising the Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO) and assessing the feasibility of establishing a second fertiliser factory in Bangladesh.

He said the Bangladesh government was committed to ensuring an investment-friendly environment. To this end, the government was working to expand opportunities for Japanese businesses through regulatory reforms, simplified investment approval procedures and stronger public-private partnerships.

Those present at the meeting included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Foreign Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan; Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman; and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon.

Earlier, on 11 October, a delegation led by Marubeni Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Masayuki Omoto met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

At the meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, discussions focused on cooperation between Bangladesh and Marubeni Corporation in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, fertiliser and energy, as well as ways to expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh.