Japans business presence in Bangladesh growing fast
50pc rise in its companies in 5-year
UNB, Dhaka
The number of Japanese companies in Bangladesh increased by 50 per cent over the last five years as its wants to continue its stronger presence here, says a senior official at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Japanese counterpart Tara Kono, in their bilateral meeting in the capital recently, agreed to have more trade and investment in Bangladesh.
Minister Kono appreciated the increase of Japanese companies presence in Bangladesh and sought further efforts from Dhaka to improve the investment environment for the Japanese companies to come here, said Deputy Press Secretary of the Japanese government Jun Saito.
While talking to a small group of journalists, including the news agency correspondent, he said some 270 Japanese companies are working in Bangladesh. Minister Kono was very happy to tell this (to Minister Momen), said the spokesperson for the Japanese Foreign Minister.
He said Bangladesh is set to become the second largest recipient of Japanese assistance right after India in Japanese fiscal year 2019 while it was the third largest recipient in fiscal year 2018. The Japanese government is happy and proud of that.
Appreciating Bangladeshs very remarkable economic development, Minister Kono said there is a strong need for socioeconomic infrastructure and Japan will strengthen its assistance in various fields, including human resource development and education.
Asked whether Japan is diverting investment to Bangladesh from other Asian countries, Saito said he does not think so.
He said there has been campaign by the Japanese government to enlighten, particularly the small and medium enterprises what steps they should take to invest in foreign lands or abroad. We encourage them to measure the situation and they listen to us.
On security issues, the official said the Japanese government is responsible for the lives and property of Japanese people and any travel advice is solely from that point of view.
He hoped that Bangladesh government will continue to deal with the security situation within its own country in a very appropriate manner which helps them go for favourable exchanges.
Minister Kono and Dr Momen agreed to strengthen the bilateral relationship through initiatives at various levels, including high-level mutual visits, towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022.
We should start taking plans and projects to celebrate this important milestone of our ever-lasting excellent bilateral relationship, said the Japanese official.
The two ministers shared the ideas of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the stability and prosperity of the international community by building the rules-based order under three pillars freedom, the rule of law and market economy and laid emphasis on promoting these three pillars.
Based on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to Japan in May this year, Minister Kono wanted to further promote the comprehensive partnership.
