DHAKA, March 14, 2024 (BSS) - Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori said launching of negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Public Private Economic Dialogues (PPED) between the Japanese government and the government of Bangladesh are the two vehicles to move forward to improving the business environment in the years to come. 

"We have to work together between the two governments on the business environment," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of new office of HmAC on Wednesday, said a press release today.

A book "Taxation Handbook for Investors in Bangladesh" prepared by Howlader Maria and Co., Chartered Accountants (HmAC) was also uncovered at the event.
 
Iwama Kiminori said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable economic growth and was projected to continue on a robust trajectory as evidenced by the GDP per capita of the US$ 2688 in 2022 while the World Bank global economic outlook projected an estimate of a real GDP growth rate of Point 6.0 percent spanning the time 2022 and 2023.

Japan recognizes the paramount significance of Bangladesh development acknowledging the role for shaping the business destiny, he added. 

"A growing number of companies are redirecting their focus for Bangladesh. Japan Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce of Industry (JBCCI) and JETRO Bangladesh offer valuable advice to the companies in navigating the complexity of Bangladesh," he added. 

He said the synergistic collaboration among Japanese Business Circle along with the embassy of Japan is manifested through concerted effort to ensure a comprehensive and seamless support structure for companies venturing into Bangladesh.

Iwama Kiminori said, "We should have had a plenary meeting last year, but due to several reasons that was not possible. In order to convene the next round of high level meetings we have to have several working group meetings. The Japanese embassy is trying to speak with the counterpart that is NBR. Finally, even though we have not fixed the date, the NBR informed us that they are ready to discuss."
 
He said, "I do hope that this working group meeting will be held soon so that we can have the basics for moving forward the planet plenary meeting, continue and push and discuss between the two governments on improvement of the investment environment. I wish that the real floating of the negotiation will be ready to come in the near future".

President of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry Myung-Ho Lee and Council Member and Past President of the ICAB and chairman of Taxation and Corporate Laws Committee of ICAB Md. Humayun Kabir were present as special guests.