Japan is considering facilitating 1 trillion yen, or around $6.35 billion, in private investment in Bangladesh over the next five years, with potential focus areas including automobile manufacturing, other industrial sectors and energy infrastructure.
The proposed investment plan was reported by Japanese business publication Nikkei Asia on October 22.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning for a four-day visit from October 26 to 29 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Expanding trade and investment and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries are key priorities of the visit.
According to the report, Japan may agree to facilitate 1 trillion yen in private investment in Bangladesh over the next five years.
The plan could also include increased investment in special economic zones developed with Japanese involvement. Several Japanese companies, including Sumitomo Corporation, have been involved in developing such zones.
If implemented, the proposed investment could support manufacturing growth, create jobs and strengthen Bangladesh’s technological capabilities and industrial skills. It could also open up opportunities to improve energy infrastructure and diversify the country’s export products.
Investment is expected to feature prominently during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit. He is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with Takaichi at the Japanese prime minister’s office on Tuesday, October 27. The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement after the meeting, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Japanese prime minister.
Their discussions are expected to cover strategic relations, trade and investment, infrastructure development and development cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.
During the visit, the prime minister is also scheduled to meet representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
He is also expected to hold discussions with representatives of major Japanese companies, including Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo Corporation and JERA.
In Tokyo, Tarique Rahman will deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum, which will bring together businesspeople and investors from both countries. His schedule also includes a visit to Uniqlo’s headquarters and meetings with senior executives on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the final day of his visit, he is scheduled to tour Toyota Motor Corporation’s Motomachi plant in Nagoya.
The visit is seen as an important opportunity to strengthen economic ties between Bangladesh and Japan. The two countries signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in February this year. Implementing the agreement, expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and increasing business ties are among the key objectives of the visit.
If the proposed investment plan materialises, it could boost industrialisation, expand exports and deepen partnerships between Japanese investors and local businesses. However, the full impact will become clearer once the investment commitments and sector-specific plans are finalised.