Tarique Rahman pledges investment-friendly environment through regulatory reforms
Published : 26 October 2026
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Updated : 26 October 2026, 16:48
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on JBCCEC President Masumi Kakinoki at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo this afternoon. Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought Japan’s cooperation in modernising the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and exploring the possibility of setting up a second fertiliser factory in Bangladesh to strengthen 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 Hotel Imperial in Tokyo this afternoon (local time), said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
During the meeting, Tarique called for increased Japanese investment in promising sectors of Bangladesh, including information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. He highlighted opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
“The government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment by reforming regulations, simplifying investment approval procedures and strengthening public-private partnerships to make it easier for Japanese businesses to invest and operate in Bangladesh,” Tarique said.
He praised Kakinoki’s leadership in promoting trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan and thanked him for helping expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh and strengthen bilateral business ties.
Kakinoki expressed hope that effective implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries would expand bilateral trade, increase Japanese investment and create new business opportunities.
On October 11, a Marubeni delegation led by its president and chief executive officer, Masayuki Omoto, met the prime minister at his office in Dhaka.
The meeting discussed cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fertiliser and energy, as well as ways to expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Earlier, Tarique reached Tokyo at 9:05am local time today on a four-day official visit, leading a 16-member high-level delegation.