Close on the heels of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (FBCCI) call to Japanese and Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh, Japan has reportedly expressed its interest to invest in two economic zones following Bangladesh Government’s reported plan to create 100 economic zones across the country within next 15 years.
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Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Masato Watanabe reportedly underlined his country’s intention to invest in the economic zones, during a signing ceremony in Dhaka recently. Economic Relation Division (ERD) Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin signed two pacts on behalf of Bangladesh, while Masato Watanabe signed ‘Exchange of Notes’ agreement, and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Mikio Hataeda signed ‘Grant Agreement’ at the event.
According to the participants, once completed, the 100 economic zones would reportedly provide employment to one crore people in the country.
It may be mentioned here that earlier during a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador, first Vice-President of FBCCI Md. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin reportedly requested Watanabe to relocate Japanese industries to Bangladesh, as there is a huge opportunity for investment here, besides urging him to initiate steps to ensure increased export of Bangladeshi products to Japan.
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“Bangladesh is developing very fast. The country expects Japan to be in its development process,” said FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad, who went on to emphasize on the needs for technical assistance and transfer of technology from Japan to Bangladesh, besides requesting Watanabe to arrange a “business meeting” between the businessmen of the two countries during Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Japan.
