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Tuesday | October 06, 2026 | Dhaka

Japan remains Bangladesh’s trusted partner: Envoy

 City Desk
 Published: 12:01 AM, 06 October 2026

Terming Japan as a trusted development and business partner of Bangladesh, Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Saida Shinichi has expressed optimism that several major Japanese investment initiatives currently in the pipeline will materialize 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 envoy emphasized the importance of strong governance, institutional relevance, and delivering tangible benefits to businesses in both nations.

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

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, President-Elect Kazuiki Kataoka thanked the outgoing leadership and stated that the chamber would focus on highlighting Japan’s contributions to Bangladesh through trade, investment.

infrastructure development, and business activities. He emphasized 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 participants and highlighted JBCCI’s pivotal role in bolstering bilateral ties. Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA presented the major activities from November 2025 to September 2026, noting that membership grew to 391 companies from 369 in the previous year. Joint Treasurer Md Jahangir Alam Sharker CPA presented the audited financial report, reflecting 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.