Japan, Bangladesh to sign economic partnership deal by year-end: PM Ishiba

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that Bangladesh, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, is entering a new era of transformation.

During a bilateral meeting with Dr Yunus in Tokyo, Ishiba confirmed that the two friendly nations will finalise an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by the end of the year to boost trade and investment, according to local media.

In a joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic ties and strengthening strategic cooperation. Ishiba praised Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition and assured continued Japanese support. Dr Yunus expressed gratitude for Japan’s unwavering assistance during the interim government's reform efforts.

Dr Yunus also sought Japanese support for key infrastructure projects, including expressways, bridges, and energy terminals, and called for increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s high-tech and industrial sectors.

The leaders also discussed regional geopolitics and the Rohingya crisis, with Dr Yunus urging Japan to intensify efforts for a lasting solution. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed admiration for Dr Yunus’s global contributions to poverty alleviation and indicated his interest in visiting Bangladesh soon.