Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today invited Japanese companies to invest in five priority sectors in Bangladesh, including automotive manufacturing, energy, technology and space, high‑speed rail and logistics, and agro‑processing. Speaking at the Bangladesh‑Japan Economic Forum Dialogue at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) headquarters in Tokyo, he said the two countries should take their long‑standing relationship to a new level through trade and investment after signing their first‑ever Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The forum was jointly organised by JETRO and the Japan‑Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC). Rahman noted that around 350 Japanese companies operate in Bangladesh, yet Japanese direct investment remains below $500 million. Bangladesh’s exports to Japan totalled $1.36 billion last fiscal year, while imports from Japan were $2.16 billion.
Under the newly signed EPA, 7,379 Bangladeshi products will enjoy duty‑free access to Japan, and Japanese goods such as steel, automotive parts and electronic components will receive preferential access to Bangladesh. Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s market of more than 180 million people, a young workforce with a median age of 27, and a growing middle class, aiming to become one of the world’s top‑10 consumer economies by 2030.
Addressing Japanese investors’ concerns, the prime minister said the government is working to ensure reliable energy, efficient infrastructure, predictable customs clearance and transparent taxation. “I fully understand that businesses need certainty. Investors need confidence. Our job is creating the right environment to deliver both,” Rahman said.
On automotive manufacturing, Rahman announced that Toyota had informed the government earlier this month of its plan to begin work on a vehicle manufacturing facility in Bangladesh, with full production targeted for 2029. The government will provide all possible support for the initiative.
In the energy sector, he invited Japanese firms to invest in LNG infrastructure, efficient gas‑fired power generation and renewable energy, and highlighted cooperation with Japanese energy company JERA.
Rahman also unveiled plans for a Bangladesh‑Japan Technology Park focused on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics and electronics manufacturing, involving Japanese companies, universities and investors. He called for cooperation with Japanese institutions in space science, satellite engineering and related technologies to strengthen Bangladesh’s space capabilities.
Regarding rail and logistics, the prime minister said Bangladesh plans to develop a nationwide elevated high‑speed rail network connecting Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal. A national master plan will assess passenger and freight demand, prioritise routes and conduct feasibility studies, with an invitation to Japanese institutions to invest.
He also urged Japanese companies to explore opportunities in food processing and agro‑based manufacturing, particularly at the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, being developed by Sumitomo Corporation to Japanese standards.
Emphasising people‑to‑people ties, Rahman said Bangladesh wants to make Japanese‑language education a priority so that millions of young people can learn the language alongside technical skills, creating a skilled workforce for both markets.
Recalling Japan’s recognition of Bangladesh in February 1972 and its role as the country’s largest development partner for more than five decades, Rahman said the two nations should turn their long‑standing friendship into a stronger partnership that creates opportunities for their people and shared prosperity.
Why it matters
The investment push aims to boost Bangladesh’s industrial diversification and create jobs, supporting its goal to become a top‑10 consumer economy by 2030.