Standard Chartered Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI), hosted an exchange session titled ‘Forging a Shared Future’ at The Westin Dhaka.
The event brought together key Japanese stakeholders to discuss evolving regulatory frameworks, bilateral trade progress, and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The session addressed key developments, including Bangladesh Bank’s new guidelines on Joint Venture/Consortium/Association (JVCA), Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) strategic collaboration plans, progress on the bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and the challenges faced by Japanese investors in Bangladesh.
Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that The deep-rooted, 53-year economic partnership between Japan and Bangladesh has been pivotal for the nation, with Japanese businesses and aid transforming key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and education.
“It has been our privilege to partner with the Japanese business community, working in tandem to advocate for policies that enhance the business environment, and creating platforms such as this to share their voice with policymakers and regulators, addressing challenges and unlocking new opportunities.”
Executive member of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Dr. Khandoker Azizul Islam highlighted government’s continued effort to facilitate more Japanese business & investment in Bangladesh through policy reforms & creating business conducive eco-system.
Tomohide Ichiguchi, Chief Representative, JICA, said that JICA’s recent focus is on industrial diversification and private sector development which includes investment climate improvement, Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, human resource development of ICT and manufacturing sectors, MIDI (Moheshkhali development), Private Sector Investment Finance (PSIF), food safety, and customs improvement.
Yuji Ando, Country Representative of JETRO, said that The recent Bangladesh Bank and BIDA circular is a timely initiative to streamline the process of NVCA formation, operational procedure and regulatory reporting.
“Japanese community welcomes the new policy but needs more clarification and flexibility in some areas such as provision for interest free working capital loan, ease of executing outward remittances, applicability of this circular for the JVCAs formed before BIDA guideline etc.”
Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan, President, JBCCI, said that EPAs are comprehensive trade agreements designed to foster economic collaboration and deepen ties between participating nations. It is event more crucial for Bangladesh as it is poised for graduation from LDC.
The session included an interactive Q&A, moderated by Faysal Islam, Head of Global Subsidiaries at Standard Chartered Bangladesh. The panel featured expert insights from Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development at BIDA; Md. Ariful Hoque, Director at BIDA; Afsana Rahman, Associate Director at Bangladesh Bank; and Nusrat Mehzabin, Joint Director at Bangladesh Bank. The audience actively engaged with panelists to clarify regulations and raise investment-related concerns.
Closing the session, Enamul Huque, Head of Corporate Coverage at Standard Chartered Bangladesh, thanked the participants and reaffirmed the bank's commitment to fostering Japanese investment and strengthening bilateral economic ties.
