The 6th Bangladesh-Japan Public Private Joint Economic Dialogue (PPED) Held

1. Overview of the Meeting

This meeting was the first face-to-face meeting held in approximately six years since the fourth meeting in 2019. Approximately 130 participants attended the meeting, including representatives from Japanese government agencies (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh; JETRO; NEXI; NEDO; JBIC; JICA) and members from the private sector, including the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Committee, Mr. Kokubu. Representatives from the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Office of the Chief Advisor; Central Bank; Investment Development Authority; National Revenue Board; Ministry of Commerce) and administrators from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), representing the private sector, also participated. Some participants joined online.
This PPED (Public-Private Economic Dialogue) was held with the aim of expanding economic relations between Japan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh through cooperation between the public and private sectors under the interim government formed after the political change in August last year. The government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and FBCCI delivered presentations on issues related to logistics, future initiatives, investment promotion measures after the political change, and recent trends, and expressed their expectations for Japan. Furthermore, reports were provided by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, JETRO, JICA, and private companies regarding the investment environment challenges surrounding Japanese companies in the region, activities of the agricultural working group, and the status of local activities by Japanese companies. Additionally, initiatives aimed at building an industrial growth belt centered around the Bay of Bengal were introduced.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expressed its desire to contribute to the industrial advancement and diversification of the People's Republic of Bangladesh together with Japanese companies by utilizing frameworks such as this PPED and the Japan-Bangladesh Industrial Upgrading Partnership (BJIUP), indicating the direction of future cooperation.
Finally, based on the policies presented at this PPED, participants confirmed their intention to deepen discussions in the various working groups established under the PPED and to work together to resolve issues.

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2. About the Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Economic Dialogue (PPED)

The PPED is a framework established in August 2014 between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, aimed at solving business challenges faced by Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh and promoting investment and trade between Japan and Bangladesh. A total of five PPED meetings have been held to this point, and four working groups (investment environment, tax and finance, industrial diversification, energy) have been established under the PPED.

Division in Charge

Southwest Asia Office, Trade Policy Bureau