JETRO Country Representative in Dhaka Yuji Ando said that Japanese investors expect the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to be completed by 2025.
He said a total of 40 foreign companies have already expressed their interest to invest in Narayanganj. Land contracts have already been completed with 5 companies. Products will be produced there for the local market.
JETRO chief made the remarks while talking in a business to business (B2B) meeting between the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), held at the World Trade Centre on Monday afternoon. Ando congratulated the new leadership of the Chittagong Chamber.
He presented documentaries on various investments of Japan and Japanese companies in Bangladesh as well as around the world.
Chamber President Omar Hazzaz presided over the meeting while Vice President Raisa Mahbub, Chamber Directors Mahfuzul Haque Shah, Mohammad Aktar Parvez and Omar Muktadi, Mohammad Adnanul Islam and Chamber Secretary In-charge Engineer Mohammad Faruq were present on the occasion. Chamber President Omar Hazzaz said that Japan is a reliable friend of Bangladesh. Japan has made a large investment in the current infrastructure development of the country. Construction of Matarbari deep sea port, Dhaka Metrorail and third terminal at Shahjalal Airport is one of them.
Chittagong Chamber has launched Japan Desk to provide all kinds of assistance to Japanese investors. The Chittagong Chamber is planning to host the 'Bay of Bengal Growth Summit' next year and a trade delegation from the Chittagong Chamber has expressed interest in visiting Japan.
He requested the appointment of skilled manpower from Bangladesh in order to further expand Japan's continuous development cooperation for the past 51 years. The president of the chamber called for creating sector-wise skilled manpower by arranging training through agreements with technical institutes so that these skilled manpower can contribute to Japan's economic progress.
Raisa Mahbub, Vice-president of the chamber said, invited Japanese investors in Chittagong to set up joint investment industries in the pharmaceuticals sector with the aim of producing quality medicine.
She said that the Chittagong Chamber is ready to provide all kinds of services as a partner of the government to increase domestic and foreign investment.