Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday invited Japanese business conglomerate Marubeni Corporation to invest in Bangladesh's information technology, fertiliser and energy sectors, highlighting his government's moves to harness the country's economic potential and attract domestic and foreign investment.
The premier made the invitation when a high-level delegation led by Marubeni Corporation President and CEO Masayuki Omoto paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the morning, said his Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
During the meeting, the prime minister highlighted the longstanding business ties between Bangladesh and Marubeni in jute products and stressed the need to expand the existing relationship and strengthen cooperation in new sectors, Shadhin said.
The discussions covered investment opportunities in information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fertiliser and energy, as well as the possibility of establishing a second Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited plant in Bangladesh.
The two sides also discussed the potential of Bangladesh's IT sector, the development of skilled human resources and the country's prospects for becoming an international service hub.
Tarique Rahman highlighted the government's plan to enhance the skills of Bangladeshi engineering graduates in IT and cybersecurity, noting that Bangladesh could emerge as a major international service hub by leveraging its skilled workforce and technological capabilities.
The possibility of launching an artificial intelligence-powered data centre in Bangladesh within the next 12 months also came up for discussion, alongside potential investment and technological cooperation from Marubeni.
On fertiliser production, the two sides discussed expanding Marubeni's existing investment and the possibility of setting up a second KAFCO plant, with Marubeni expressing interest in the proposal.
The meeting also expressed optimism that the upcoming Economic Partnership Agreement between Bangladesh and Japan would further strengthen trade and investment ties.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Technology Rehan Asif Asad and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan were present during the talks.
Why it matters
The investment invitation aims to expand bilateral economic ties and advance technological infrastructure in Bangladesh's IT and energy sectors.