Efforts for Enhancing Bilateral Economic Ties Made with Prime Minister Hasina and Government Mission of Bangladesh Visiting Japan

​1. METI Minister Nishimura attended a Japan-Bangladesh summit meeting

On April 26 (Wed) 2023, Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended a Japan-Bangladesh summit meeting, which was held by Mr. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and Prime Minister Hasina as part of her Official Visit to Japan.

At the meeting, both sides welcomed the progress in economic relations, including the Japan-Bangladesh Public Private Joint Economic Dialogue (PPED) and the Joint Study Group on the Possibility of a Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). They agreed to promote efforts for improving the investment climate and upgrading industries in Bangladesh for further investments, thereby enhancing bilateral economic relations.

Reference

• MOFA website: Japan-Bangladesh Summit Meeting and Working Dinner
• Fifth Bangladesh-Japan Public Private Joint Economic Dialogue (PPED) Held (in Japanese)

2. METI Vice-Minister Hirai exchanged an MOC on the launch of the Bangladesh-Japan Industry Upgradation Partnership

Mr. Hirai Hirohide, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, METI, and Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh, exchanged a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on the launch of the Bangladesh-Japan Industry Upgradation Partnership. This exchange was conducted at the document exchange ceremony following the summit meeting and was witnessed by the two prime ministers.

As an effort toward Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and its goal to become a developed country by 2041, METI and the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh launched this partnership as a framework for promoting the upgradation of industries of Bangladesh through public-private cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh. Both sides will engage in enhancement of the bilateral economic relations in collaboration with the PPED and other frameworks.

3. JPO and the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) of Bangladesh exchanged an MOC in the field of intellectual property

Mr. Hamano Koichi, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and Ms. Sultana,  Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, Bangladesh, exchanged a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) in the field of intellectual property.

The JPO and the DPDT concluded the MOC with the goal of JPO-DPDT cooperation to enhance their performance to accelerate the “intellectual creation cycle” consisting of creation, protection and exploitation of intellectual property. This will establish an intellectual property system that contributes to not only the promotion of innovation but also the development of society and the economy.

The JPO and the DPDT will focus on the following areas in order to make JPO-DPDT cooperation more robust in the field of intellectual property (patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks).

Cooperation areas:

• Promotion of comprehension on the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) systems and practices of the Offices;
• Improvement of the IPR systems to enhance the development of industry and innovation; and
• Enhancement of interaction between the Offices and IPR users.

4. METI State Minister Nakatani attended the Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit

On April 27 (Thur) 2023, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), as organizers, as well as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation, as co-organizers, held a Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit in Tokyo. Mr. Nakatani Shinichi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. At this meeting, State Minister Nakatani, as well as Prime Minister Hasina, Mr. Ishiguro Norihiko, Chairman of JETRO, Mr. Kobayashi Ken, Chairperson of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other stakeholders delivered speeches towards enhancement of Japan-Bangladesh business relations.

In his speech, State Minister Nakatani expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for their efforts to improve the business environment and also expressed his expectation for its continuation. Moreover, he stated that METI would enhance cooperation in a variety of fields, including the PPED held this April for the first time in about four years, the Joint Study Group on the Possibility of a Japan-Bangladesh EPA, energy transition, and Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and would support initiatives of private sector that plays leading roles in advancing Japan-Bangladesh economic ties.

Divisions in Charge

Information on Items 1, 2 and 4 of this press release:

Southwest Asia Office, Trade Policy Bureau

Information on Item 3 of this press release:

International Cooperation Division, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, JPO