In order to improve bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, Bangladesh and Japan have formally committed to signing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. It was announced at a ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka to launch the ‘EPA Study Report’.
The initiative was led by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), and the results were published in the EPA Study Report, which was created by Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Limited, a consulting business. JBCCI has also set up a standing committee to help with the EPA’s signing.
Iwama Kiminori, Japan’s ambassador to Bangladesh, commended JBCCI for hosting the launch event and voiced hope that the EPA Study Report’s findings would hasten the EPA signing process.
The importance of the EPA in ensuring duty-free market access for Bangladesh after its impending departure from Least Developed Country (LDC) classification in 2026 was underlined by Md. Emran, executive director of JBCCI. Manabu Sugawara, president of the JBCCI, reaffirmed how the EPA could improve trade and investment ties between the two nations.
In his keynote address, M Masrur Reaz, chairman of Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, discussed the advantages and difficulties of the EPA and provided insightful information on how both countries could benefit from the deal.
It is anticipated that the next EPA will increase Bangladesh-Japan cooperation prospects and promote stronger economic linkages. Being among the largest RMG-producing nations in the world, Bangladesh would do well to open a new trade partnership with Japan which is often considered among the top nations for fashion in the world.
