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Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Saida claimed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Bangladesh is the most concessionary one Japan has ever signed and matches the new administration’s and BNP’s manifesto focus on economic growth.
‘We could send a clear message to the world that we both uphold free trade, considering the international trade circumstances,’ the Ambassador said while addressing an event titled Japan Business Day at a city hotel on Monday.
Japanese Embassy, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) and Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD) organised the event in commemoration of the EPA signing with Bangladesh in February.
On this occasion, JETRO shared the annual survey 2025 on Japanese companies.
Country Representative to JETRO Dhaka Kazuiki Kataoki presented the findings and said half of the Japanese companies expect profits in Bangladesh this year, while 29.5 per cent of the companies are expected to break even. The expectation of Japanese companies in 2024 was 33 per cent.
The Japanese Ambassador also termed the negotiations on the EPA between Japan and Bangladesh as powerful and tough, and said the negotiation skills the Bangladesh side gained through a Japanese assistance project made it confident to name the European Union as the next free trade agreement partner.
Terming strategic partnership founded on trust and shared values, Ambassador Saida hoped that the new administration‘s well-conceived plan consists of reconciliation to break the old-time cycle, restoration of law and order and economic growth through enhanced investment.