Bangladesh stability draws fresh interest from Japanese businesses

Greater political and social stability since Bangladesh’s February election has encouraged Japanese companies to reconsider investment opportunities in the country, a Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) official said Saturday.

JETRO country representative Kazuiki Kataoka said instability had been a major concern for Japanese investors before the new government took office.

“Greater stability makes it easier for companies to formulate medium- and long-term business plans and make investment decisions,” Kataoka said.

He said JETRO has observed increased visits by senior Japanese executives from Tokyo and regional offices, including Singapore.

Kataoka cautioned that stability alone would not guarantee increased investment. He called for improvements in taxation, customs clearance, licensing, permits, and regulatory transparency.

He said Japanese companies are also increasingly interested in Bangladesh’s consumer market, particularly food, consumer goods, local production, and procurement opportunities.