Japan has sought Bangladesh’s support for its move to organise “World Expo-2025”, an event of World Trade Organization (WTO), as Russia and Azerbaijan are the two other contestants for organizing the event.
The support was sought when Japan’s House of Councillors Hiroshi Yamada and Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Hiroyasu Izumi met Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at his secretariat office in Dhaka Tuesday.
“Bangladesh will take timely decision about it,” the minister said.
Tofail said Japan has expressed interest to import skilled manpower from Bangladesh for its textile sector.
“Japan wants to take skilled manpower from Bangladesh for its textile sector. It has also assured us of taking steps to boost trade with Bangladesh,” said the commerce minister.
Tofail said Japan is an important trade and economic partner of Bangladesh and urged Japanese entrepreneurs to invest in any of the 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs). At present over 312 Japanese companies have investments amounting to $ 1,467.28 million in Bangladesh, he added.
Japan is giving quota-and-duty-free market access to all Bangladeshi products, except arms and hand-glove and it will continue such trade facilities even after Bangladesh’s graduation to developing country from LDC group, he said.
He said both member of the House of Councillors Hiroshi Yamad and Ambassador Hiroyasu Izumi termed Bangladesh’s law and order as good and now the Japanese government has withdrawn the travel-2 restriction on the visit of its citizens to Bangladesh.
Commerce secretary Subhasish Basu was present during the meeting.