Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called on Japan to cooperate in modernising the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and to explore the establishment of a second fertilizer plant in Bangladesh, aiming to deepen bilateral economic ties and attract Japanese investment.
He made the request during a courtesy meeting with Masumi Kakinoki, chairman of Marubeni Corporation and president of the Japan‑Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC), at the Hotel Imperial in Tokyo this afternoon (local time), the prime minister’s deputy press secretary Shahadat Shadhin said.
At the meeting, Tarique urged greater Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s promising sectors, including information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, and emphasized the opportunities available for foreign direct investment (FDI) and public‑private partnerships (PPPs).
Tarique stated that the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment by reforming regulations, simplifying investment approval procedures, and strengthening public-private partnerships to facilitate easier investment and operations for Japanese businesses in Bangladesh.
He commended Kakinoki’s leadership in advancing trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan, and thanked him for his role in expanding Japanese investment in Bangladesh and strengthening bilateral business ties.
Kakinoki said he hopes that the effective implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries will expand bilateral trade, boost Japanese investment and generate new business opportunities.
On 11 October, a delegation from Marubeni, led by its president and chief executive officer Masayuki Omoto, met the prime minister at his office in Dhaka.
The meeting addressed cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fertilizer and energy, and examined ways to expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Earlier today, Tarique arrived in Tokyo at 09:05 local time to commence a four‑day official visit, heading a high‑level delegation of 16 members.
Why it matters
The high-level talks aim to secure vital Japanese investment and economic cooperation in key sectors such as renewable energy, ICT, and agriculture-supporting industries.