JBCCI vows to deepen BD-Japan trade, investment ties
The newly-elected board of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) has pledged to further strengthen trade, investment and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan, with greater focus on Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) readiness, business networking and investment promotion.
The commitment came at the 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of JBCCI held at Hotel Lakeshore in the capital on Sunday, where Kazuiki Kataoka was introduced as the new president of the chamber for the October 2026-September 2028 term, said a press release on Monday.
Addressing the AGM, Kataoka thanked the outgoing leadership and JBCCI members for their contributions, saying he would focus on highlighting Japan’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh through trade, investment, infrastructure development and business activities.
He also stressed the need to make better use of the knowledge and expertise of JBCCI’s nearly 400 member companies through seminars, knowledge-sharing sessions, networking and other member-driven initiatives.
He reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the value, visibility and activities of JBCCI while maintaining high professional standards and further strengthening the economic and business relationship between the two countries.
The newly-elected Secretary General Rabiul Alam said the incoming board would build on the strong foundations laid by its predecessors and work to take the chamber to “bigger, better and newer heights” as Bangladesh-Japan relations continue to evolve toward increased trade and investment.
Outgoing JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) highlighted the longstanding trust between Bangladesh and Japan and described JBCCI as an important bridge between the two business communities since its establishment in 2004.
He termed the signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement a historic milestone and stressed the need for its timely ratification, effective implementation and adequate business preparedness to fully utilize the opportunities it offers.
He also called for a predictable and investor-friendly business environment, stronger policy advocacy and business connectivity, and greater participation of women in business.
Speaking as the chief guest, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi congratulated the incoming leadership and appreciated the outgoing board for its dedicated service.
The ambassador highlighted JBCCI’s growth from just over 20 members to nearly 400 and stressed the importance of strong governance, institutional relevance and delivering tangible benefits to members.
He reaffirmed Japan’s longstanding commitment as a trusted development and business partner of Bangladesh, noting that the “Economic Partnership Agreement” signed in February, with support from JBCCI, marked an important milestone in bilateral economic relations.
The ambassador expressed optimism that several Japanese investment initiatives currently in the pipeline would materialize in due course, while high-level exchanges between the two countries could further elevate their strategic and business partnership.
He also underscored the need for industrial diversification, development of upstream industries, removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers and red tape, and creation of employment opportunities for young people.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a transparent and sustainable relationship between business and politics to support long-term economic development.
JBCCI Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA said the chamber’s membership had risen to 391 and highlighted its activities during November 2025 to September 2026, including policy advocacy, high-level government engagement, business networking, investment promotion, Japan delegations, sector-focused initiatives and the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference.
She identified EPA readiness, resolution of investor-related issues, sector-specific business matching, regular business delegations to Japan, stronger member engagement and greater participation of women entrepreneurs and young business leaders as key priorities for the future.
The AGM also approved the audited annual financial report. The board proposed appointing Shafiq Mizan Rahman and Augustine, Chartered Accountants, as auditor for fiscal year 2026-27.
The newly-elected 16-member board includes President Kazuiki Kataoka, Vice Presidents Abu Zaman Md. Tariqul Islam and Syed Samiul Huq, Secretary General Rabiul Alam, Treasurer Kenji Kimura, Joint Secretary General Oliver Kutz and Joint Treasurer Saumitra Kumar Mutsuddi.
Other directors are Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), Hiroaki Oura, Kabir Ahmed, Atsushi Hirakuri, AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, Kenichiro Kawamoto, Farzanah Chowdhury, Hironori Yamanaka and Mudassir Murtaza Moin.
Manabu Sugawara and Abdul Haque have been appointed as advisers to the board.
Nearly 240 representatives of member organisations, businesses, government and other stakeholders, along with officials of the Embassy of Japan and media professionals, attended the Annual General Meeting.
Hiroaki Oura, vice president of JBCCI, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the outgoing leadership and members for their continued support and wishing the new board success in carrying forward the chamber’s initiatives.
