The signing of the Japan–Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement marks a historic milestone in Bangladesh’s trade diplomacy, creating new opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade, particularly in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector.According to industry data, Bangladesh exported garments worth USD 1.185 billion to Japan in FY2024–25, while Japan’s total global apparel imports stand at around USD 25 billion, indicating significant growth potential for Bangladeshi exporters.
As the world’s second-largest apparel importing market after the United States when considered as a single market, Japan remains a highly promising destination for Bangladesh’s garment industry.Against this backdrop, a delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held a meeting with officials from the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh to discuss ways to effectively utilize the new EPA framework to expand bilateral trade, with a special focus on increasing Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the Japanese market.
The BGMEA delegation included Vice President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman, Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury and Nafis Ud Doula, Standing Committee Chairman on Trade Fair and Events M. Sajedul Karim, Standing Committee Chairman on Japan Market Development Salman Sunny, and President of the Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tareq Bhuiyan Jun.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged trade insights and discussed avenues to further expand Bangladesh’s garment exports to Japan.The BGMEA representatives sought the Embassy’s support in strengthening communication between the business communities of the two countries, particularly stakeholders in the apparel industry.
Industry leaders highlighted that greater participation of Bangladeshi exporters in apparel exhibitions in Japan would help showcase the country’s manufacturing strengths while enabling Japanese buyers and investors to explore sourcing and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The BGMEA delegation also requested the Embassy’s support in simplifying visa procedures for Bangladeshi businesspersons traveling to Japan, aiming to facilitate stronger business engagement and trade expansion.Representing the Japanese side were Naoki Takahashi, Minister (Deputy Chief of Mission); Yutaro Mochida, Head of Economic Affairs Section; and Saori Fujimoto, Economic Affairs Section of the Embassy of Japan.
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