Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called on the Japanese government and private sector to play a more active role in Bangladesh’s economic development, technological advancement and industrialisation. He made the call during a bilateral summit with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, Kantei, where they discussed expanding cooperation in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT), trade and investment.
During the high-level meeting, Tarique Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh was actively working to establish itself as a premier hub for economic activity, technology, and manufacturing. He highlighted the country’s remarkable growth potential and underscored the vast opportunities available for deeper and more meaningful engagement by Japanese businesses within the burgeoning South Asian market.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister noted that Bangladesh is on a strong trajectory to become the world’s ninth-largest consumer economy by 2030. Furthermore, he projected that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) could comfortably exceed the milestone of one trillion US dollars by 2034, signaling immense long-term prospects for foreign investors.
The two leaders also engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding a strategic plan to attract private investment worth one trillion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately 6.3 billion US dollars, across Bangladesh’s critical energy, infrastructure, and ICT sectors. To expedite the implementation of this ambitious investment framework, both sides agreed to dispatch a dedicated Japanese expert team to Bangladesh in the near future.
Addressing energy security, Tarique Rahman reiterated that a reliable and affordable energy supply remains essential to sustaining Bangladesh’s robust economic momentum. Expressing profound gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support as a trusted development partner, he recalled the recent emergency assistance loan of 50 billion Japanese yen provided by Tokyo, which continues to bolster bilateral ties.
