Bangladesh seeks deeper Japanese investment in industry and technology

State minister for primary and mass education Bobby Hajjaj urged Japanese businesses Tuesday to invest in Bangladesh, describing the country as a strategic economic bridge between South Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“By investing in Bangladesh, Japan can gain access to a large regional market of over 300 crore consumers,” Hajjaj told an investment seminar in Osaka, Japan.

He said progress on an economic partnership agreement and the creation of a special economic zone for Japanese companies could expand bilateral trade and investment.

Trade between the countries is about $3.5 billion, with a joint goal of reaching $10 billion in coming years, he said.

Hajjaj identified machinery, electric vehicle components, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, logistics, educational technology and workforce training as promising sectors. He also called for long-term cooperation to help address Japan’s labor shortages.