Rejoinder (2022-06-07)

Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh has contradicted a news report published in the June 06, 2022 issue of the Financial Express under the headline 'Businesses favour free trade deal between BD, Japan'.

In a rejoinder issued by Atsushi Kato, Economic Researcher and Advisor, Economic Affairs & Development Cooperation Section, Embassy of Japan said in the report, the ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh has been misquoted as saying 'but his government will continue its GSP facility

after Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status in 2026'.

It said the ambassador's comment is as followed, "In our country's case, we don't have a way to just simply extend GSP facility. We need to make a new arrangement… I must say that unless we have this legal agreement, the government side won't extend the same market access to Bangladesh."

"That is why it's very important for us to think of it and come to the conclusion of the FTA."