Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday met a delegation led by Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Fast Retailing Co Ltd, the parent company of Japanese global clothing manufacturer and retailer Uniqlo, and called for increased investment in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector.

The meeting was held at 10.30am, local time in Japan.

During the meeting, the prime minister appreciated Uniqlo’s confidence in Bangladesh and the longstanding business engagement between Bangladesh and Fast Retailing.

He invited Uniqlo to expand its investment in Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry, with particular emphasis on man-made fibres, technical textiles and sustainable apparel manufacturing.

The discussions also covered greater cooperation in technology transfer, skills development, product innovation, advanced manufacturing systems and environmentally friendly production processes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government was ready to provide the necessary support for expanding Uniqlo’s operations in Bangladesh. He highlighted the government’s willingness to facilitate land arrangements, investment approvals and other necessary administrative clearances.

Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), expressing the expectation that the agreement would help expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Those present at the meeting from the Bangladesh side included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Ruman, among other officials.

The Japanese delegation also included Takeshi Okazaki, director of Fast Retailing Co Ltd, and Yoshihiro Kunii, the company’s group senior executive officer.