Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Japanese apparel giant Uniqlo to expand its investment in Bangladesh, focusing on man‑made fibre, technical textiles and sustainable garment manufacturing. The call came during a meeting with a delegation led by Fast Retailing Co Ltd’s chairman, president and CEO Tadashi Yanai at 10:30 am local time, Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said.
Tarique appreciated Uniqlo’s confidence in Bangladesh and its long‑standing business engagement through Fast Retailing. He urged the company to make further investments in Bangladesh’s ready‑made garment sector, particularly in man‑made fibre, technical textiles and sustainable garment production.
The discussions also covered greater cooperation in technology transfer, skills development, product innovation, advanced manufacturing systems and environmentally friendly production processes.
The prime minister said his government was ready to provide the necessary support for expanding Uniqlo’s operations in Bangladesh, highlighting the willingness to facilitate land arrangements, investment approvals and other administrative clearances.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of implementing the Bangladesh‑Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), expressing hope that it would help expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.
On the Bangladesh side, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, PM’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs‑1 Humaiun Kobir, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, PM’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia‑Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were present. The Japanese delegation included Fast Retailing Co Ltd Director Takeshi Okazaki and Group Senior Executive Officer Yoshihiro Kunii.
The outreach underscores Bangladesh’s strategy to attract Japanese investment in high‑value apparel manufacturing and signals Uniqlo’s continued confidence in the country’s garment sector, reinforcing bilateral economic ties.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about future collaboration under the EPA framework.
Why it matters
The outreach signals Bangladesh’s strategy to attract Japanese capital for high‑value apparel manufacturing and reinforces Uniqlo’s confidence in the country’s garment sector.