Bangladesh to be benefited if EPA signed with Japan: Commerce Secy

Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh has expressed his optimism, saying that Bangladesh would yield benefits significantly if the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is signed between Bangladesh and Japan.

“I am optimistic about the economic partnership agreement to be signed, either by December 2025 or January 2026, between the two countries,” Ghosh said at a joint press conference at the commerce ministry on the occasion of releasing the report prepared by the Joint Study Group on implementation of the EPA between Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh IWAMA Kiminori was also present at the press conference, reports a press release.

Claiming that Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and an important trade partner of Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh is strategically a potential place to expand trade and commerce between both countries.

There is a potential for enhancing Bangladesh’s relationship with Japan in the service and investment sectors, he said.

“We have been benefiting from duty-free facilities for our exported goods to Japan, and these privileges will continue until 2026,” said the commerce secretary.

More to follow…