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Sunday | October 11, 2026 | Dhaka

Trade, investment top agenda

PM's Japan visit
 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:56 AM, 11 October 2026

Strengthening bilateral relations, deepening economic partnerships and increasing investment will be Bangladesh’s main priorities during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Saturday.

“Our main priorities during the Japan visit will be to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic partnerships and increase investment,” he told journalists after attending a seminar titled “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh-KSA Relations”.

Tarique is scheduled to leave Dhaka on 26 October for a four-day visit to Japan.

Humaiun said Bangladesh would focus on expanding trade, attracting investment and strengthening development partnerships across various sectors during the visit.

He said Bangladesh was seeking reciprocal investment partnerships with countries around the world, with cooperation focused on clearly defined areas of mutual interest.

Describing Japan as one of Bangladesh’s largest and longest-standing development partners, the state minister said Japanese investment in several mega projects had helped strengthen economic ties and the broader bilateral relationship.

He recalled that Tarique had previously attended an energy summit virtually at the invitation of the Japanese prime minister when Japan was facing an energy crisis.

The engagement had helped build the Japanese government’s confidence in the Bangladesh prime minister, Humaiun said.

The upcoming visit would provide an opportunity for detailed discussions on cooperation in specific sectors and opportunities for reciprocal investment, he added.

Asked about Tarique’s proposed visit to Saudi Arabia, Humaiun said the Saudi Crown Prince had invited the prime minister to visit the Kingdom and that Tarique had accepted the invitation.

“He has accepted and will do so at some point very soon,” he said.
The state minister also said the Saudi Crown Prince had expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh. Dhaka would welcome him at a mutually convenient time, he added.

Responding to a question about protecting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Humaiun said Bangladesh’s position was clear and uncompromising.

He said Bangladesh, as one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority countries, stood ready to provide necessary support if asked to assist initiatives to protect the holy sites and mosques of the Muslim world.