DHAKA, May 24, 2024 (BSS) - The first round of negotiations for the Japan-
Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held in Dhaka from May 19
to 23.

The meeting was attended by, on the Japanese side, Taketani Atsushi,
Ambassador in charge of Economic Diplomacy, Deputy Director-General, Economic
Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from
other relevant ministries, said a press release issued by Japanese Embassy
here today.

On the Bangladesh side, Dr Ahmad Munirus Saleheen, Chairman of Bangladesh
Trade and Tariff Commission, and representatives from relevant ministries
were present.

In this round of negotiation, both sides exchanged their views on the method
of negotiations and on a broad range of areas such as trade in goods, rules
of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, investment, electronic
commerce and intellectual property.

Both sides decided to work on scheduling the dates of the second round of
negotiations through diplomatic channels, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.

On May 19, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori participated in
the opening session of the negotiation with Bangladesh State Minister for
Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Commerce secretary Md Selim Uddin and Chairman
of Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission and Chief negotiator of Bangladesh
side Ahmad Munirus Saleheen.