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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched a dedicated “Japan Desk” to strengthen economic ties and expand trade and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and Japan.
The desk was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, under the theme of connection, cooperation and prosperity.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi inaugurated the desk by cutting a ribbon. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan attended the event as a special guest.
Representatives from the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, JETRO Dhaka, Dhaka Shokai, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni Corporation, Itochu Corporation and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also present.
The initiative follows the formation of BGMEA’s Japan Market Strategy Development Committee last year, aimed at increasing exports of Bangladeshi apparel to the Japanese market. Mizanur Rahman serves as chairman of the committee, while Director Mohammad Sohel is its coordinating director.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Saida Shinichi congratulated BGMEA on establishing the Japan Desk and said the initiative would help make bilateral trade more dynamic. He also stressed export diversification as an important element of sustainable economic growth.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the association was placing greater emphasis on diversifying both products and export markets rather than relying heavily on a limited number of traditional markets.
He described Japan as a highly promising market for Bangladesh’s garment industry, while identifying shorter lead times as one of the key challenges to expanding exports there.
Japanese business representatives praised the progress of Bangladesh’s garment sector, particularly improvements in workplace safety and compliance, and expressed hope for stronger long-term business ties between the two countries.
BGMEA Senior Vice-President Inamul Haq Khan highlighted the transformation of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, including improvements in workplace safety and compliance.
At the event, BGMEA Secretary General Major General (retd) Dr Md Sahedul Islam made a presentation on the association’s activities.
Mizanur Rahman, in his welcome remarks, also urged the Japanese ambassador to consider facilitating the visa process for marketing and merchandising professionals from Bangladesh’s apparel industry who need to travel to Japan for business purposes.
Furushima (BD) Ltd Managing Director Kazi Sarwar Habib and Director Mohammad Sohel outlined the objectives and action plan of the newly launched Japan Desk.