[🇧🇩] Strategic Aspect of Bangla-Japan Relation

[Bilal9]

The new government should make a policy to free the press/media of Indian influence. Most of our press/media protect Indian interest. Daily Star (Delhi Star) and Prothom Alo (Delhi'r Alo) are the two most prominent news outlets which need to be shut down for their pro-India policy.

Yes Daily Star (Delhi Star) and Prothom Alo (Delhi'r Alo) are the big 800 pound Gorillas - but there are small ones too. There are countless haramis in Bangladesh with Muslim names who secretively have Thakur houses in one of their rooms at home and if you check their wee-wees you will see uncircumcised ones.

Too many Muslim-named Hindus and Munafiqs all over Bangladesh fed by successive administrations to be India dalals. One thinks a Bolshevik style purge is needed urgently with checking allegiances. One doesn't need to be a patriot - but allegiances to countries other than Bangladesh is definitely something that needs to be vetted, starting with public figures and media personalities/influencers.

The good news is that public awareness of these dalals and foreign agents (especially from the big neighbor) is higher than ever before, and that momentum needs to be kept up with the public identifying these culprits.

One may ask why this is necessary in a democratic country. Foreign agents will always try to sabotage our relations with countries overseas, especially Japan, which is the subject of this thread. Our strategic partnership with Japan on new agreements on defense, labor, and development is the target of these haramis.

 

[Saif]

Japan EPA opens doors, reforms now vital

Business leaders and policy experts on Tuesday urged the government to tackle long-standing structural bottlenecks to fully capitalise on the newly signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, warning that the deal alone will not automatically boost trade and investment. They said that

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Japan EPA opens doors, reforms now vital

FE REPORT
Published :
Mar 04, 2026 11:50
Updated :
Mar 04, 2026 11:50

Business leaders and policy experts on Tuesday urged the government to tackle long-standing structural bottlenecks to fully capitalise on the newly signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, warning that the deal alone will not automatically boost trade and investment.

They said that while the agreement offers significant market access opportunities, its success will depend on swift implementation of domestic reforms and export diversification.

The call came at a roundtable titled 'Export Potentialities under Bangladesh-Japan EPA: Challenges and Way Forward', organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) at its office in the capital.

Bangladesh signed its first-ever EPA with Japan on February 6. Under the agreement, 7,379 Bangladeshi products will enjoy 100 per cent duty-free access to the Japanese market, while 1,039 Japanese products will receive duty-free access in phases.

AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary, secretary general of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said the focus must now shift from celebration to implementation.

"We need to assess how effectively and how quickly the EPA can be translated into tangible economic gains," he said.

He noted that Japan has signed EPAs with nearly 20 countries with notable results.

Following the Japan-India EPA, bilateral trade reportedly rose to around $18 billion, while Japan-Vietnam trade increased from about $24 billion to nearly $51 billion.

"These figures are encouraging, but we must avoid complacency. The real challenge is whether Bangladesh can replicate such success," he said.

Citing reports by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Patwary said Bangladesh is often identified as a promising destination for Japanese investors.

However, administrative delays, infrastructure gaps, supply chain disruptions, customs complexities and regulatory bottlenecks continue to hinder investment, he said.

"Japan's outward FDI stood at roughly $500 billion in 2025, yet Japanese FDI stock in Bangladesh is only about $500 million despite five decades of relations. This gap shows that signing agreements is not enough -- we must remove practical roadblocks," he added.

He also stressed the need to diversify exports beyond readymade garments, highlighting opportunities in fintech, nursing, caregiving, engineering and IT-enabled services.

Addressing non-tariff barriers, including language constraints,

technical standards and compliance requirements, will be crucial to broadening the export basket, he added.

Asif Ashraf, managing director of Urmi Group and former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the EPA offers much-needed certainty for the RMG sector amid concerns over post-LDC duty implications.

"Japan's apparel import market is worth about $20 billion, but Bangladesh captures only $1.4 billion. To expand our share, we must diversify into manmade fibre-based products and ensure energy security, policy consistency and stronger R&D support," he said.

He added that the Japanese market requires patience, strict quality control and long-term commitment. Kanchan Miah, managing director of Arot Agro, said exporters of fresh vegetables are facing difficulties due to the suspension of the Dhaka-Narita direct flight and urged the government to resume the route to facilitate trade.

Professor Jahangir Alam, chairman of Dhaka University's Japanese Studies Department, said exporters would struggle to do business with Japanese customers without strong quality assurance, as the market is highly stringent in its standards.

Stakeholders from academia and sectors such as ICT, pharmaceuticals, logistics, renewable energy, green technologies and agro-processing highlighted priority areas to strengthen bilateral trade and investment under the EPA framework.

Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Hajime Suzuki, executive officer of RX Japan Ltd, presented keynote papers emphasising preparedness, compliance and active participation in international trade fairs to expand market access.

Participants agreed that the EPA will deliver meaningful results only if backed by robust domestic reforms, capacity-building initiatives and targeted export diversification programmes. Mohammad Hasan Arif, vice-chairman and executive member of the EPB, moderated the session.​

 

[Saif]

EPA set to redefine Bangladesh-Japan trade landscape

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between Bangladesh and Japan on February 6, in Tokyo is poised to transform the trajectory of bilateral trade between the two countries, said Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI).

www.thedailystar.net

EPA set to redefine Bangladesh-Japan trade landscape

Says Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan, president of bilateral business chamber

Jagaran Chakma

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between Bangladesh and Japan on February 6, in Tokyo is poised to transform the trajectory of bilateral trade between the two countries, said Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI).

In an interview with The Daily Star, Bhuiyan described the agreement as Bangladesh’s first comprehensive EPA and a landmark shift from a unilateral preference-based arrangement to a structured, rules-based bilateral trade framework.

“This is not just about tariff cuts,” he said. “It institutionalises our trade relationship with Japan. It provides predictability, transparency and legal certainty — all of which are essential for sustainable trade growth.”

He said Japan has long been one of Bangladesh’s key trading partners, particularly as a destination for ready-made garments (RMG) and textile products.

However, he said with Bangladesh set to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status in the near future, concerns had emerged over the possible erosion of preferential market access.

He said under the existing Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes, Bangladeshi exports enjoy duty-free or preferential treatment. After graduation, those benefits would no longer automatically apply.

“Without the EPA, our exporters, especially in garments, could have faced tariffs of 8 percent to 15 percent or more in the Japanese market,” Bhuiyan said. “That would have significantly affected our price competitiveness.”

He noted that the EPA secures duty-free or reduced-tariff access for more than 7,300 Bangladeshi products, including RMG, textiles and a wide range of manufactured goods. This ensures continuity in market access and shields exporters from sudden tariff shocks.

“For our bilateral trade, this continuity is critical. It means buyers in Japan can continue sourcing from Bangladesh without disruption, and our exporters can plan long-term investments with confidence,” he added.

While garments dominate Bangladesh’s exports to Japan, Bhuiyan said the EPA opens opportunities to diversify the trade basket.

The agreement includes provisions on customs facilitation, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property and digital trade — all of which reduce non-tariff barriers and enhance transparency.

“Many exporters struggle not just with tariffs but with complex procedures and compliance requirements,” he said. “Clearer rules and improved cooperation between customs authorities will lower transaction costs and reduce uncertainty.”

He believes that sectors such as agro-processing, leather goods, light engineering products, plastics and specialised manufacturing can gradually expand their presence in Japan if supported by quality improvements and compliance with Japanese standards.

However, he acknowledged that some leather and footwear products may not receive full duty benefits under the initial framework, which could create competitive pressure in certain segments.

“Industry stakeholders have raised concerns, particularly in leather. While the overall agreement is positive, sectors that do not receive immediate duty-free access will need to focus more on quality, branding and niche positioning,” he said.

On the import side, the EPA grants Japan preferential access to Bangladesh’s expanding domestic market for more than 1,000 products, including steel, machinery, auto parts and electronics. Some tariff reductions will be phased in over periods extending up to 18 years.

Bhuiyan described the phased approach as balanced and pragmatic.

“It allows Bangladesh to liberalise gradually while giving domestic industries time to adjust,” he said. “At the same time, access to high-quality Japanese machinery and intermediate goods will strengthen our industrial capacity.”

He noted that improved access to advanced machinery and components can raise productivity in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector, which in turn enhances export competitiveness in third-country markets.

“In bilateral trade, imports are not necessarily a threat. Strategic imports — especially capital goods and technology — can support export expansion,” he said.

Bhuiyan emphasised that the EPA has broader implications for supply chain integration between the two countries.

Japan is actively seeking to diversify and strengthen its supply chains in Asia. Bangladesh, with its competitive labour force, growing industrial zones and strategic location, can position itself as a reliable partner.

“The agreement reduces trade risks by establishing clear dispute settlement mechanisms and regulatory transparency,” he said. “This gives Japanese firms greater confidence in sourcing from and investing in Bangladesh.”

He added that improved customs cooperation and streamlined procedures will reduce delays and enhance reliability — a key factor in modern supply chains.

“As supply chains become more integrated, bilateral trade will not only grow in volume but also in sophistication,” he said.

Bhuiyan stressed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must be prepared to take advantage of the EPA’s opportunities.

Export-oriented SMEs in garments are already integrated into global value chains, but other sectors may require capacity building.

“Compliance with rules of origin and technical standards will be crucial,” he said. “Government agencies and business associations must work together to ensure that exporters understand and utilise the agreement effectively.”

He also pointed to the importance of upgrading logistics infrastructure, including ports and cold chain facilities, to support higher trade volumes.

“Trade agreements create opportunities, but implementation determines the outcome,” he added,

While the EPA may not result in an immediate surge in trade volumes, Bhuiyan expressed confidence that it will generate steady and sustainable growth in bilateral trade over the medium to long term.

“This agreement marks a transition from a unilateral preference system to a mutually negotiated partnership,” he said. “It creates stability for our exports and enables structured expansion of trade in both directions.”

He emphasised that the success of the EPA will depend on proactive implementation, regulatory strengthening and private sector engagement in both countries.

“The framework is now in place,” Bhuiyan said. “If we utilise it effectively, Bangladesh–Japan bilateral trade can expand in volume, diversify in composition and deepen in value addition.”​