Tarique-Takaichi talks to boost trade, investment

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are scheduled to hold talks in Tokyo on October 27 to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic partnerships and attract Japanese investment to Bangladesh.

“It is expected that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan will be strengthened further. New doors will open in the relationship, and fresh private investment will come to Bangladesh from Japan,” Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, will pay an “official working” visit to Japan from October 26 to 29.

Against the backdrop of existing strategic cooperation, the upcoming visit offers a timely opportunity to deepen and broaden ties between the two  countries,he said.

The governments of Bangladesh and Japan announced the visit simultaneously on Tuesday.

Foreign Secretary Siam said the two sides were discussing the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit. The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026 had opened up new opportunities to expand trade and investment, he said.

Draft MoUs covering agriculture, fisheries, human resource development and skills development, domestic aviation, trade, environmental conservation and the modernisation of local government are under discussion.

“We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit,” the foreign secretary said.

The prime minister will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum. He is also expected to visit an LNG terminal and power plant in Katsuura City, Chiba, the Nuclear Headquarters and the Toyota plant in Nagoya, Japan, Siam said.

Earlier, Japan had invited the prime minister to pay an official visit at a mutually convenient time, reaffirming Tokyo’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Dhaka.

Siam described Bangladesh-Japan ties as long-standing, historic and friendly.

In April, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined an online meeting at the invitation of the Japanese prime minister as Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative to address energy issues more efficiently across Asia.

Siam said the visit would also create opportunities to accelerate and complete ongoing projects, reinforce commercial partnerships, increase economic and development assistance, and expand security cooperation.

Japan could also support the establishment of Japanese factories in Bangladesh, creating jobs and developing human resources, he said.
Beyond bilateral ties, the two leaders are expected to discuss global issues.

“It is hoped that the two countries will initiate fruitful discussions on peace and stability in the regional and international arenas, a lasting and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, strengthening mutual cooperation to resolve the global energy crisis, and jointly playing a role in ending international conflicts,” the foreign secretary said.

“Our relationship has expanded and broadened beyond trade, investment and development cooperation to various fields, including science and technology, connectivity, the environment, and regional and sub-regional cooperation,” Siam said.

He described the current relationship between the two countries as a strategic partnership, under which cooperation continues in infrastructure development, technological advancement, human resource development and security.