TOKYO, Oct 26, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought Japan’s cooperation in modernising the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and exploring the possibility of establishing a second fertiliser factory in Bangladesh as part of his government’s efforts to strengthen bilateral economic ties and attract Japanese investment.

He made the call during a courtesy meeting with Masumi Kakinoki, chairman of Marubeni Corporation and president of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC), at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo this afternoon (local time), said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister called for increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s promising sectors, including information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, highlighting significant opportunities through foreign direct investment (FDI) and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Tarique Rahman said, “The government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment by reforming regulations, simplifying investment approval procedures and strengthening public-private partnerships to make it easier for Japanese businesses to invest and operate in Bangladesh.”

He also praised Kakinoki’s leadership in promoting trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan and thanked him for his role in expanding Japanese investment in Bangladesh and strengthening bilateral business ties.

Kakinoki expressed the hope that the effective implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries would expand bilateral trade, increase Japanese investment and create new business opportunities.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir , State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were present, among others.

On October 11, a Marubeni delegation led by its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Masayuki Omoto met the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka.

The meeting discussed cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, fertiliser and energy, as well as ways to expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo at 9:05am local time today on a four-day official visit, leading a 16-member high-level delegation.

PM apprises Japanese parliamentary delegation of steps to attract investments

TOKYO, Oct 26, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today outlined his government’s initiatives, including legal reforms, to create a business-friendly environment for foreign investors and highlighted measures to promote education and skills development during a meeting with a high-level Japanese parliamentary delegation.

The delegation of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL), led by its president and former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, met the Prime Minister at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo at 3:00pm local time.

Both sides emphasised the need to further strengthen political and economic ties as well as people-to-people contacts between Bangladesh and Japan.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said his government had undertaken several initiatives to create a business-friendly environment for foreign investors, including legal reforms. He also outlined government initiatives in education and skills development.

In the context of the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, Tarique Rahman sought Tara Aso’s cooperation in increasing Japanese investment in Bangladesh, expanding bilateral trade and strengthening technology transfer.

He also expressed the hope that Japan would continue to support Bangladesh in implementing its development priorities and developing a skilled workforce.

Tarique Rahman thanked Tara Aso for his continued contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan through his leadership of the parliamentary friendship league.

Tarique Rahman recalled meeting Tara Aso during his visit to Japan in 2006, when he was the senior joint secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The former Japanese premier also recalled his meeting with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The premier said Tara Aso had consistently played a positive and constructive role in advancing bilateral relations while serving in various important positions, including as Japan’s prime minister, deputy prime minister and finance minister.

His long standing personal engagement with Bangladesh had contributed significantly to further strengthening the friendship between the two countries, he added.

Commenting on Bangladesh’s investment prospects, Taro Aso said a large proportion of the country’s population was young and that the current political stability had created a favourable environment for investment.

Japanese companies were highly interested in investing in Bangladesh, he added.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Md. Shakhawat Hossen Rubel and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were present, among others.

The Japanese delegation included former minister and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chairman Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tatsunori Ibayashi, and senior members of the Japanese parliament.