Roundtable on the Future of Bangladesh–Japan Relations

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a roundtable titled “Frontiers of Bangladesh–Japan Relations: Prime Minister’s Visit to Japan in Perspective” on Monday, 19 October 2026. The roundtable examined prospects for strengthening bilateral relations and explored practical avenues for expanding trade, investment, technology transfer and development cooperation.

Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, Former Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

In his welcome address, Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General of BIISS, underscored the importance of sustained dialogue in advancing Bangladesh–Japan relations. Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director, BIISS, delivered the keynote presentation titled “Bangladesh–Japan Relations: Expanding Trade, Investment and Development Frontiers.”

The panel discussion featured Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, and Dr Ishtiaque Selim, Professor, Department of Economics, Jagannath University. The panellists discussed opportunities and challenges in bilateral economic engagement, investment promotion and the future direction of the partnership.

A key focus of the roundtable was the potential of the Japan–Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in Tokyo on 6 February 2026, to promote trade liberalisation, investment cooperation and deeper economic integration. Participants highlighted the need to diversify Bangladesh’s exports beyond ready-made garments, attract greater Japanese investment into productive and technology-intensive sectors, and address regulatory, infrastructural and skills-related constraints affecting the business environment.

The discussions also emphasised the importance of translating the longstanding Bangladesh–Japan partnership into a more diversified, investment-driven and technology-oriented relationship. Participants highlighted the need for effective institutional coordination, human capital development and sustained engagement between the two countries to realise the full potential of bilateral cooperation.

The roundtable brought together policymakers, researchers, academics and representatives of relevant institutions to assess the evolving Bangladesh–Japan partnership and develop actionable policy recommendations for government agencies, businesses and development partners. The event aimed to help translate high-level diplomatic engagement into tangible economic and developmental outcomes.