EPA is a ‘milestone’ in Bangladesh-Japan economic ties: Muktadir
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has described the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as a significant milestone that will redefine bilateral economic cooperation and unlock new horizons for trade and investment.
“The increasing purchasing power of the domestic market makes Bangladesh an increasingly attractive destination for foreign direct investment,” he said, reports BSS.
The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a high-level seminar titled “Strategic Discussion on Advancing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)” at a city hotel on Monday night said a press release on Tuesday.
He underscored the enduring and strong relationship between the two nations, recognizing Japan as a consistently trusted development partner. Muktadir highlighted Bangladesh’s immense economic potential, citing the country’s large, young, and resilient population as a primary driver of growth.
Concluding his remarks, the Commerce Minister extended a formal invitation to Japanese investors to explore emerging opportunities in high-growth sectors, specifically pointing toward light engineering, pharmaceuticals, and research and development (R&D).
He expressed firm confidence that the EPA would serve as a catalyst for long-term growth and deepen the strategic economic partnership between the two countries.
The seminar was organized by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) in collaboration with JCIAD and JETRO Dhaka. Shinichi Saida, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, joined the event as the special guest. He described the EPA as a long-term, 50-year strategic framework designed to boost industrial growth and investment.
The programme, attended by over 180 participants, also included insights from regional experts and business leaders on policy frameworks and investment opportunities under the evolving EPA framework.
