The country’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector has huge potential which can be harnessed more if proper technological support can be ensured.
In this sense, Japanese SMEs’ experience can play a major role, said the Head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Tokyo Dr. Yuko Yasunaga.
He made the comment while exchanging views with leaders of the Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce during his four-day visit to Bangladesh to explore the potentiality of investment opportunities for Japanese companies. He was also interested to know the real investment atmosphere of the country for attracting more Japanese investments.
He said, “The expertise that we have, technology that grows over time can be transferred to the Bangladesh SMEs. But for that we must have proper policy support that will come from the Bangladesh government. Unless there is a proper policy, we cannot transfer technology support here.”
“Linking SMEs with big companies can play a significant role in developing the country’s economy further. For this we must find what sort of things we need and how we are going to use/ consume it and what kind of technological support we need to implement it,” he added.
SMEs can bring a change which can help to develop the country’s economy, and for this, SMEs related education shall be introduced at all educational levels, he suggested.
In promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two nations, what sort of action plan can be taken has been discussed widely. And possible cooperation issues related to the promotion of Japanese investment in Bangladesh were discussed.
Finally, he remarked that more Japanese investments are ready to be brought to Bangladesh. But for those, more friendly investment opportunities must be ensured.
Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Chief Representative Yuji Ando showed that 68 percent of Japanese companies are willing to expand business till 2023. According to the latest survey, Bangladesh has become their first choice after India, in the Asia and Oceania region for expanding business.
But they are facing some difficulties while doing business in Bangladesh. Due to the lengthy process of getting loans, taxation difficulties, wage compliance, and skilled manpower they cannot expand as per their calculation.
It may be mentioned here that UNIDO Tokyo has played a vital role in promoting Japanese investments in Bangladesh in different periods since its establishment in Japan in 1981. In late 1980’s and early 1990’s many Japanese investments in Chattogram EPZ and Dhaka EPZ were materialized with the support of UNIDO Tokyo. Similarly, many prominent Japanese investments that happened after 2007 were due to the support of UNIDO Tokyo.
