[🇧🇩] Strategic Aspect of Bangla-Japan Relation

[Saif]

We want to make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said his government was working to make Dhaka and the rest of the country clean, pollution-free and healthy, aiming to transform the capital into a city as clean as Tokyo. “We are trying to make Dhaka and the entire country clean. Initiatives are being...

en.prothomalo.com

We want to make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo: PM

We want to make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo BSS

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said his government was working to make Dhaka and the rest of the country clean, pollution-free and healthy, aiming to transform the capital into a city as clean as Tokyo.

“We are trying to make Dhaka and the entire country clean. Initiatives are being taken to reduce air pollution, improve the environment and plant trees in different places,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while responding to questions from expatriate Bangladeshis at an exchange of views, organised by the Bangladesh Community, an organisation of Bangladeshis living in Japan, at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo this evening.

Referring to the cleanliness of Tokyo's streets, Tarique Rahman said garbage was rarely seen on the city's roads, in contrast to Dhaka, where waste accumulated in different places.


He said the situation needed to change as waste could spread germs and make people sick. Maintaining a clean environment and ensuring proper waste disposal were essential to protecting public health, he said.

“If we can make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo, as Japan, that will be a major reform for the people,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government's reform priorities were focused on improving the lives of marginalised and working-class people, ensuring that the benefits of initiatives in education, healthcare and the environment reached people from all walks of life.

He said rickshaw pullers, CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, service holders and businesspeople would all benefit from such initiatives.

“As a politician, I understand reform to mean the kind of reform whose benefits reach the marginalised people. There are different kinds of reforms. There are reforms in air-conditioned rooms, and there are also reforms aimed at making the lives of working people a little better,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government prioritised initiatives that would improve ordinary people's living standards, adding that he attached greater importance to measures benefiting working people because he sought their votes.

He called for the cooperation of all democratic-minded people to implement the reforms and build the Bangladesh they aspired to.

The Prime Minister said attempts were being made to create obstacles to prevent the BNP government from implementing reforms that would benefit ordinary people.

Addressing expatriate Bangladeshis, he said the reform initiatives undertaken by the government would benefit people across the country, including the families of expatriates, and urged them to support the initiatives.

“I am not asking you to vote for us. If you think these initiatives are right, then support the work so that we can implement them,” he said.

Referring to satire and ridicule on social media concerning Aam Janata Party Member Secretary Md Tarek Rahman, the Prime Minister said that although he was the subject of considerable criticism, there was little discussion of the country's various problems.

He reiterated that the government's goal was to implement reforms in education, healthcare, the environment and other areas to improve people's living standards.

While some reforms might benefit a limited number of people, he said, his priority was to pursue initiatives that would benefit a broader section of the society.

He stressed that hard work, patience and unity were needed to accomplish the tasks and sought the cooperation and prayers of expatriate Bangladeshis for the country's development.

At the beginning of the programme, the Prime Minister answered questions from expatriate Bangladeshis on various issues, including plans to help children develop proficiency in Japanese and build skills in healthcare, sports and other fields, simplify business procedures, reopen closed industrial units, increase investment and create employment.

Prime Minister's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman also attended the event, moderated by BNP Executive Committee member Abdus Sattar Patwary.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury and other members of the Prime Minister's entourage attended the event.

The Japan unit of BNP presented photographs to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, at the event.​

 

[Saif]

How Bangladesh and Japan can turn BIG-B into an economic game changer

Bangladesh's BIG-B initiative with Japan could transform maritime connectivity, diversify industries and strengthen the country's economic competitiveness.

www.thedailystar.net

How Bangladesh and Japan can turn BIG-B into an economic game changer

Sujit Kumar Datta

Bangladesh's strategic location on the Bay of Bengal offers an opportunity to transform its geographical advantages into industrial and economic strength. By expanding trade, attracting investment and strengthening regional cooperation, the country could emerge as a major economic hub connecting South and Southeast Asia. This potential has gained renewed significance following discussions between Bangladesh and Japan on upgrading the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Tokyo.The commitment reflects both countries' ambitions to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen industrial development and expand regional connectivity.

BIG-B provides a strategic framework for accelerating industrial development, strengthening infrastructure, improving the investment climate and expanding regional connectivity. Its broader significance lies in enabling Bangladesh to translate its geographical advantages into sustainable productive capacity, diversify its industrial base and strengthen its position in regional and global value chains. The challenge now is to turn the renewed Bangladesh–Japan commitment into tangible economic gains while safeguarding Bangladesh's long-term national interests and strategic autonomy.

Matarbari: The maritime gateway

The deep-sea port at Matarbari could serve as a gateway to Bangladesh's industrial and economic transformation. Chattogram Port is currently the country's principal maritime gateway, handling a substantial volume of containerised cargo. However, its limited navigational depth restricts the size of vessels it can accommodate, posing challenges as cargo traffic continues to grow. The Matarbari port development project aims to overcome some of these constraints by strengthening Bangladesh's maritime infrastructure and facilitating the expansion of international trade.

Developing a modern deep-sea port could also create a more favourable environment for manufacturing enterprises to invest in the country by ensuring more reliable access to imported raw materials, equipment and regional markets. However, a port alone cannot transform an economy. Its success depends on efficient supporting infrastructure, including roads, railways, modern customs clearance systems, adequate energy supplies, competitive logistics providers and industries capable of generating sufficient cargo volumes. These complementary investments may be costly, and without them, the port may struggle to operate at its full economic potential.

That is why it is important to understand Matarbari within the broader BIG-B blueprint. The port should not be treated as an isolated maritime facility. Instead, it should be connected to industrial zones, transport corridors, energy installations and commercial centres as part of an integrated economic network. In this regard, the Moheshkhali–Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI), supported by Japan’s technical cooperation, is particularly relevant. It provides a planning framework for the development of infrastructure, including ports, roads, railways, energy facilities and special economic zones, alongside other essential development requirements. The ultimate objective should be to ensure that improved maritime connectivity translates into manufacturing expansion, export diversification, skilled employment opportunities and greater domestic value addition.

An aerial view of the Matarbari deep-sea port project in Cox’s Bazar, a key component of the BIG-B initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s maritime connectivity, expanding international trade and supporting industrial development. Photo: BSS

Beyond garments: Building a more diversified economy

For the past few decades, Bangladesh's export success has depended primarily on ready-made garment (RMG) exports. Despite the sector's significant contribution to employment and foreign exchange earnings, this dependence leaves the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global demand, changes in trade policies, rising production costs and intensifying international competition. BIG-B offers an opportunity to support a broader process of industrial transformation.

Improved connectivity and stronger infrastructure could attract investment in electronics, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, light engineering and other higher-value manufacturing industries. Japan's expertise in industrial production, quality control, logistics and technological innovation could help Bangladeshi enterprises improve their competitiveness and integrate more effectively into international production networks. The development of the Araihazar Special Economic Zone, undertaken with Japanese cooperation, illustrates how foreign investment and industrial infrastructure development can be brought together to support manufacturing growth. However, attracting and retaining investors requires more than providing land and physical infrastructure. It also demands predictable regulations, efficient public administration, a skilled workforce, reliable energy supplies and adequate access to finance.

A bridge between South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh's geographical location offers considerable potential to connect South Asian economies with markets in Southeast Asia. Improved transport infrastructure, modern port facilities and more efficient cross-border services could help realise this potential through the broader connectivity framework of BIG-B. With appropriate transit agreements, sufficient infrastructure capacity and commercially viable arrangements, India's northeastern states could make greater use of maritime transport facilities in Bangladesh, while improved regional connections could also create opportunities for Nepal and Bhutan. Such arrangements could reduce logistical barriers for landlocked economies and encourage the development of regional production and supply networks. For Bangladesh, the potential benefits include increased port revenues, expanded logistics services, greater industrial investment and additional employment opportunities. However, these advantages will not materialise automatically. They require carefully negotiated agreements that protect Bangladesh's economic interests while ensuring sustainable, commercially viable and mutually beneficial access for neighbouring countries.

The Japanese government can play a constructive role by providing financing for infrastructure development and technical assistance to strengthen regional connectivity. Such cooperation could help establish stronger links between Bangladesh's emerging industrial corridors and wider Asian production networks. BIG-B therefore has an important regional dimension that extends beyond Bangladesh's domestic industrial development. The country should seek to establish itself as a significant trade and connectivity hub between South Asia and Southeast Asia without becoming an instrument of any particular country's geopolitical interests. Regional connectivity should be approached as a means of promoting shared prosperity, economic interdependence and mutually beneficial cooperation, rather than as an instrument of geopolitical exclusion.

The Indo-Pacific dimension: Cooperation without dependence

BIG-B also shares elements with Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. Japan prioritises connectivity, economic resilience and an open regional order that facilitates the movement of people and goods across maritime routes. The two governments have reiterated their commitment to further developing the BIG-B initiative within the framework of their broader strategic partnership.

A stronger, more integrated and industrially developed Bangladesh could also contribute to the region's economic resilience, an important consideration for Tokyo. Dhaka, meanwhile, stands to benefit from Japanese cooperation in infrastructure development, industrial diversification and improved connectivity with East Asian markets. China remains a key economic partner, India is essential for geographical and regional connectivity, and the United States is an important trade and investment partner, providing access to one of the world's largest consumer markets. Japan offers another valuable avenue for economic and strategic cooperation. BIG-B should not be viewed through the lens of competition between major powers for influence over Bangladesh. Instead, Bangladesh should assess each partnership according to its contribution to national development, financial sustainability, technology transfer and strategic autonomy.

The Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) spans 190 hectares (469.5 acres) in Araihazar, Narayanganj. Developed by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Sumitomo Corporation, it aims to attract investment and strengthen Bangladesh's industrial capacity. Photo: Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ)

Energy and environmental sustainability

Reliable and affordable energy supplies are essential for industrialisation. The successful implementation of BIG-B will depend heavily on developing Bangladesh's energy infrastructure to support manufacturing, transport and maritime activities. The broader development framework includes existing energy infrastructure in the Matarbari area. However, investment decisions must take into account long-term energy costs, dependence on imported fuels, environmental impacts and the changing economics of low-carbon technologies. Renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernisation and energy efficiency should receive increasing attention in Bangladesh's energy planning, alongside other reliable sources of electricity.

Strategic cooperation with Japan on technological development could improve industrial energy efficiency, support cleaner production processes and help develop more resilient infrastructure. Environmental safeguards are equally important. Fisheries, marine habitats and coastal livelihoods may be affected by port expansion, industrial zones and other forms of coastal development. Failure to account for these costs could damage the ecological resources that underpin the blue economy and sustain coastal communities. A viable BIG-B strategy must therefore integrate economic development with climate resilience, environmental protection and inclusive planning, ensuring that industrial expansion does not come at the expense of long-term ecological sustainability.

Turning the blueprint into national advantage

Implementation remains BIG-B's greatest challenge. Large infrastructure projects require substantial investment and financing, but their economic benefits ultimately depend on effective project management, realistic demand projections and efficient utilisation. In Bangladesh, project selection, procurement and financing procedures must be transparent, while feasibility studies for public investment must be rigorous and realistic.

Three priorities deserve particular attention. First, the government must establish effective coordination among agencies responsible for ports and transport, energy, industrial development and investment promotion. Fragmented institutional responsibilities and weak coordination could delay implementation and undermine the benefits of interconnected infrastructure projects.

Second, the success of BIG-B should be measured by its actual economic outcomes rather than simply by the number of agreements signed or their announced financial value. These outcomes should include industrial investment, export diversification, employment generation, productivity improvements and greater domestic value addition. Third, the government must provide a stable and predictable investment environment. Foreign investors, particularly Japanese companies, need confidence in regulatory stability, contract enforcement, efficient customs clearance procedures and the availability of a skilled workforce. Domestic businesses must also have meaningful opportunities to participate in emerging industrial activities and benefit from the development of new economic corridors.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi address a joint press briefing following their bilateral meeting in Tokyo on October 27, 2026, where they discussed upgrading the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative to strengthen investment, industrial development and regional connectivity. Photo: PMO

From geographical advantage to strategic ascent

Geography alone will not determine Bangladesh's strategic trajectory. Its location on the Bay of Bengal offers immense potential, but that potential can only be realised through productive industries, efficient institutions, skilled human resources and a coherent long-term development strategy. BIG-B provides a framework for bringing these elements together. Matarbari can strengthen maritime logistics, industrial zones can attract investment, regional connectivity can expand market access, and cooperation with Japan can enhance Bangladesh's technological capabilities and productive capacity. However, the entire initiative must remain firmly grounded in Bangladesh's national interests. International cooperation should strengthen, rather than undermine, the economic benefits of infrastructure development, opportunities for domestic enterprises and the country's strategic autonomy. BIG-B should not remain merely a blueprint developed through Japanese cooperation. It should become a practical framework for transforming Bangladesh's industrial sector, integrating maritime connectivity into the broader economy and strengthening the country's position within regional production and trade networks.

Bangladesh possesses several important advantages: a trusted development partner, a strategic geographical position, an established blueprint for industrial transformation and a window of opportunity to strengthen its competitiveness before key preferential trade benefits are phased out. Yet the success of any strategy ultimately depends on its execution. The outcome will depend on Dhaka's ability to complete the Matarbari project on schedule, reform the investment climate, negotiate mutually beneficial connectivity arrangements with India and diversify its international partnerships. If these objectives are achieved, BIG-B could help transform Bangladesh from an economy known primarily for its supply of low-cost labour into a significant logistics and industrial hub that regional and global businesses cannot afford to overlook. Otherwise, the infrastructure may be developed without Bangladesh capturing its full economic benefits, allowing much of the value generated by improved connectivity to accrue elsewhere. The future of the Bay of Bengal is being shaped now, and Bangladesh has an opportunity to play a defining role in determining its own place within it.

Dr Sujit Kumar Datta is a professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Chittagong and Director of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies-Bangladesh Center (RCASBC).​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/trade-commerce/320008/pm-invites-japanese-firms-to-explore-five-sectors-in-bangladesh

PM invites Japanese firms to explore five sectors in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Tokyo

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday invited Japanese companies to explore investment opportunities in five priority sectors in Bangladesh-automotive manufacturing, energy, technology and space cooperation, rail and logistics, and agro-processing and manufacturing-to translate long standing bilateral ties into stronger trade and investment.

‘I invite Japanese companies to explore five key areas for future cooperation and business opportunities for mutual benefits,’ he said while delivering the keynote speech at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum Dialogue at JETRO Hall in Tokyo.

Highlighting the untapped potential of bilateral economic ties, the Prime Minister said around 350 Japanese companies operate in Bangladesh, while Japanese direct investment in the country remains below US$500 million.

‘Our exports to Japan reached 1.36 billion US dollars and Bangladesh imported from Japan 2.16 billion US dollars, in the last fiscal year,’ he said, stressing the need to take the relationship beyond development cooperation and expand trade and investment.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh and Japan had signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) this year, the first such agreement Bangladesh had concluded with any country. Under the agreement, 7,379 Bangladeshi products will enjoy duty-free access to Japan, while Japanese goods, including steel, automotive parts and electronic components, will receive preferential access to Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s market of more than 180 million people, its young and energetic workforce with a median age of 27, and its growing middle class as major advantages for investors.

He said Bangladesh was expected to become one of the world’s top 10 consumer economies by 2030.

Identifying automotive manufacturing as the first priority, Tarique Rahman welcomed Toyota’s plan, conveyed earlier this month, to begin work on a vehicle manufacturing facility in Bangladesh, with full production targeted by 2029. He assured the company of the government’s full support.

In the energy sector, he invited Japanese companies to invest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, efficient gas-fired power generation and renewable energy.

He said Bangladesh had short-, medium- and long-term plans for gas, electricity and the wider energy sector, and urged Japanese firms to explore the opportunities, noting that Bangladesh was working closely with JERA.

On technology and space cooperation, the premier said Bangladesh was planning to establish a Bangladesh-Japan Technology Park, including an innovation-focused information technology park covering artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics and electronics manufacturing, with the involvement of Japanese companies, universities and investors.

The Prime Minister identified rail and logistics as another priority, saying Bangladesh planned to build a nationwide elevated high-speed rail network connecting major cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal.

In agro-processing and manufacturing, the Prime Minister invited Japanese companies to explore food-processing opportunities in Bangladesh, which produces a wide variety of crops, fruits and vegetables.

‘Japanese companies can explore opportunities in food processing in Bangladesh. We invite Japanese companies to invest in the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone at Araihazar. Sumitomo Corporation is developing this zone to Japanese standards,’ he said.

Emphasising people-to-people ties and skills development, Tarique Rahman said Bangladeshi students travelled to Japan every year for higher education, gaining valuable skills and experience before returning home.

He said teaching Japanese to Bangladeshi students was a government priority and outlined a vision of millions of young people learning the Japanese language alongside technical skills.

The Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum Dialogue was organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in cooperation with the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation (JBCCEC), with support from the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan.

JETRO President Susumu Kataoka delivered the opening remarks, while Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Shinji Wakayama addressed the event as a guest speaker. The programme also featured an MoU exchange ceremony and announcements of investment and cooperation projects.

Kenichiro Kawamoto, branch general manager and country chairperson of Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd’s Dhaka branch, delivered a presentation titled ‘Together for a Brighter Bangladesh’. Reisuke Aratani, vice-president of YKK Corporation’s Global Sales Headquarters, presented the company’s business journey in Bangladesh and its future prospects.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad also spoke on high-growth emerging businesses in Bangladesh.​