Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to help expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh, highlighting opportunities in advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), automobiles, renewable energy and agro-processing.

The prime minister made the call during a meeting with JETRO President Susumu Kataoka at 11:45 a.m. local time on Wednesday, October 28. Discussions focused on diversifying Bangladesh’s exports, developing workforce skills and strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Rahman praised JETRO’s role in promoting Japanese investment in Bangladesh, saying new opportunities were emerging for Japanese businesses.

He said Bangladesh hoped to attract Japanese investment in advanced manufacturing, ICT, the automotive industry, renewable energy and agricultural product processing, particularly in the country’s special economic zones.

Both sides agreed that the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) could play an important role in strengthening bilateral trade and investment.

The prime minister also called for Japanese cooperation in workforce development programmes and the establishment of Japanese-language training centres in Bangladesh.

Such initiatives, the discussions highlighted, could help expand employment opportunities in Japan for Bangladeshi workers while reinforcing the two countries’ long-term economic partnership.

JETRO President Susumu Kataoka said Bangladesh offered promising investment opportunities because of its economic growth and strategic geographic location.

He added that Japanese companies were already showing interest in doing business and investing in Bangladesh in response to various initiatives undertaken by the government under Prime Minister Rahman’s leadership.

The meeting underscored the shared interest of Bangladesh and Japan in expanding investment, improving skills development and building stronger economic cooperation.