Bangladesh and Japan expect to sign more than four memorandums of understanding during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan and issue a joint statement outlining the outcomes and future direction of bilateral cooperation. The proposed documents seek to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernization. Prime Minister Rahman will undertake the four-day official visit from October 26 to 29 at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi.

Preparations are underway on approximately eight cooperation documents, although the final number to be signed will depend on the completion of negotiations between the two sides. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam stated that they hope many of these memoranda of understanding will be signed during the visit. The anticipated joint statement is expected to outline the outcomes of the bilateral talks and the priorities for advancing the Bangladesh-Japan strategic partnership. Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury noted that the proposed agreements could broaden the relationship by aligning Bangladesh’s development priorities with Japan’s industrial experience, technology, and institutional expertise. He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit provides an important opportunity to reinvigorate their longstanding partnership with Japan.

Chowdhury stated that the proposed Memorandums of Understanding can establish a stronger foundation for cooperation in sectors closely tied to production, employment, and people’s livelihoods. He noted that cooperation in agriculture and fisheries should center on productivity, processing, preservation, and quality management, while skills programs must align with employers' needs, emphasizing that language teaching and technical training should advance together.

His objective, he explained, is to prepare workers for better employment opportunities while developing the skilled workforce required by industries in Bangladesh. Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of involving local enterprises in Japanese investment initiatives to spread benefits to domestic suppliers and smaller businesses, adding that alongside large investments, partnerships between Japanese medium-sized companies and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs should be encouraged.

Such cooperation can help our businesses improve production methods, quality control and management, he said. The former vice-chancellor suggested preparing an implementation plan after the visit, identifying responsible agencies, deadlines and arrangements for reviewing progress. Signing an MoU is an important beginning, and its lasting value will depend on the investment, jobs, skills and institutional capabilities that follow, he said. Under the announced program, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will hold high-level bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Takaichi at her office on October 27. The two leaders will lead their respective delegations in the official talks, and the Japanese premier will also host a luncheon in honor of the Bangladesh Prime Minister.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders to discuss investment opportunities and commercial partnerships. His tentative program includes meetings with the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.

Meetings are also being planned with the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the president of the Japan External Trade Organization, while an engagement with the chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation is under consideration. The proposed itinerary further includes visits to an LNG terminal and power plant in Chiba and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.

The prime minister will be accompanied by his spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, ministers, advisers, senior officials, and other delegation members on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights. Beyond the signing program, the visit provides an opportunity to advance the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed on February 6 this year, and to address practical requirements for expanding trade and investment.

Siam stated that discussions would concentrate on implementing the agreement, broadening access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market, and strengthening business engagement. Infrastructure costs and financing terms will also be included in the talks, coming amid an 83 per cent increase in the cost of Dhaka’s MRT Line-1 and a 113 per cent rise in the cost of MRT Line-5.

When asked whether discussions would address cost increases and lower interest rates on Japanese loans, Siam stated that Bangladesh has sought financing and technical assistance for infrastructure development. He noted that these infrastructure cooperation issues will certainly come up during the bilateral meeting between the two prime ministers, adding that talks will extend beyond metro rail. Emphasizing that Bangladesh wants to obtain loans at lower interest rates from all countries, he stated that global financing arrangements and country-specific factors will influence the outcome. Japan supports major projects in Bangladesh, including the metro rail, the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and infrastructure development in Matarbari. Additionally, the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, launched in 2014, provides a framework linking infrastructure, industry, and regional connectivity.

Prof Chowdhury stated that Matarbari and Araihazar presented opportunities to link infrastructure investment with industrial production, local suppliers, and employment. He added that prepared land, reliable electricity and water, transport connections, and predictable approval procedures would help convert investor interest into operating businesses. According to the foreign secretary, discussions will also feature renewable energy, science and technology, digital transformation, and human resource development. Beyond bilateral matters, the two sides will address regional and international peace and stability, cooperation to tackle the energy crisis, and a sustainable, peaceful resolution to the Rohingya crisis. The visit aims to build upon this longstanding relationship through new cooperation instruments, stronger institutional engagement, and expanded economic opportunities.

Why it matters

The visit strengthens bilateral ties and advances critical economic, trade, and infrastructure partnerships between Bangladesh and Japan.