Many Japanese companies to invest in BD next year

JBCCI holds 13th AGM

Special Correspondent | December 28, 2017 00:00:00

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi seen at the 13th annual general meeting (AGM) of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) held recently in the city. JBCCI president Salahuddin Kasem Khan was also present on the occasion.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi said Japanese investors are keen to invest in Bangladesh.

"Honda's decision to set up an assembly plant near Dhaka is an epoch-making development and it jacked the confidence of other Japanese companies up to invest in Bangladesh," the Japanese Ambassador said while addressing the 13th annual general meeting (AGM) of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) held recently in the city.

"The year 2017 is the 45th anniversary of establishment of our bilateral relations. Delightfully, I see more and more Japanese companies have considered investment in Bangladesh and I see next year many Japanese companies will invest here," he said.

"To further strengthen this momentum, I will work actively with the Government of Bangladesh for facilitating better investment-friendly environment here," he said adding the last Public Private Economic Dialogue in Tokyo was very successful.

The JBCCI president Salahuddin Kasem Khan thanked the Japanese ambassador and presented him a 'crest of gratitude'.

A total of 75 members of JBCCI attended the AGM, conducted by its secretary general Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan.

According to a recent Power Division statement, Japanese firms have expressed interest to invest in Bangladesh under public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the two countries which will allow Japanese companies to get work orders without participating in any bidding.

Japan has been providing nearly $2 billion in soft loans every year to Bangladesh since 2012-13.

Tokyo will also invest under the new arrangement, and Japanese banks will help with financing, said PPA Authority officials.

According to the Power Division statement, a total of 16 projects of the power, energy and mineral resources ministry are now being implemented with financing from Japan.

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