Govt committed to transparency, reform: BIDA chief

“We recognise the challenges investors face, and we are committed to transparency and reform. But progress requires continued pressure from the business community. Our aim is to create a stable, investor-friendly environment—one that attracts long-term investment and reinforces economic resilience,” he said.

Ashik Chowdhury said this at a high-level economic briefing spotlighting the strategic importance of the Japan-Bangladesh economic corridor held recently at a hotel in the city, said a press release.

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Standard Chartered Bangladesh hosted the event.

 The event brought together senior representatives from BIDA, Standard Chartered, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), JETRO and the Embassy of Japan, along with business leaders and investors from both nations.

As shifting global trade dynamics heighten interest in South Asia, the event underscored growing confidence in Bangladesh’s economic resilience and reinforced the commitment of public and private sector stakeholders to unlocking new opportunities.
 
From macroeconomic stability to bold reforms—leaders on both sides shared optimism, insights, and a shared vision for the future. With over 300 Japanese companies already operating in Bangladesh, the next chapter of this partnership is one of scale, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi said that as a faithful strategic partner, Japan remains committed to investing in Bangladesh and supporting critical infrastructure.

“Our ongoing Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations further highlight our shared ambition, with significant opportunities emerging across agro-business, fisheries, automotive, and textiles,” he added.

Country Representative of JETRO Yuji Ando said despite global economic and political uncertainty, existing Japanese companies are eager to expand their operations—underscoring their long-term commitment to this market.

Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Ichiguchi Tomohide said, “While progress has been made, much work remains to improve the investment climate. At JICA, we are working closely with JETRO and other partners to push forward strategic initiatives—from transformative infrastructure projects like the Matarbari deep-sea port and MRTs to streamlining investment procedures.”

CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that Japan has been an unwavering friend to Bangladesh since independence—our partnership is rooted not just in policy, but in deep people-to-people ties, reports BSS.

“We are seeing encouraging signs across key economic indicators, and the outlook is more stable than it has been in years. With the right reforms and collaboration, Bangladesh has every potential to become a trillion-dollar economy within the next five years,” he added.

CEO of Standard Chartered Japan Yusuke Asai said, “Despite global shifts, two things remain unchanged—Standard Chartered’s commitment to the Japan-Bangladesh corridor and the unconditional friendship between our two nations. Japan is one of the world’s most globalized economies, and our companies are well-positioned to expand their footprint in Bangladesh. With over 300 Japanese firms already present, the time is ripe to scale up investment and strengthen our role in Bangladesh’s growth story.”