Export to Japan will exceed $2b in 3 yrs: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has said that Bangladesh’s export to Japan would exceed US $2-billion mark in the next three years. “Our export to Japan has doubled in the last five years. The export volume continues to grow to the Japanese market,” he told reporters after his meeting with new Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Masato Watanabe on Tuesday. Being the biggest development partner of Bangladesh, some 230 organisations of Japan are now working in Bangladesh. “We’ll provide land for Japanese investors in special economic zone in Chittagong. It’ll help boost Japanese investment in the country,” said the commerce minister. Tofail said Japanese investors are keen to invest in Bangladesh, and the bilateral trade between the two countries will grow further. Recalling Japan’s support to Bangladesh, the commerce minister said Japan had supported in a big way in rebuilding Bangladesh during the postwar period. Japan now provides duty-free access to Bangladeshi products except arms. The Japanese Ambassador Watanabe said his country sees a huge potential for investment in Bangladesh and Japanese investors want to invest in special economic zone in a big way. Bangladesh exported goods worth $434.12 million in 2010-2011 fiscal year against the import of $1308.40 million. In FY 2014-2015, Bangladesh exported goods worth $915.22 million while imported products worth US$ 1514 million. Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon was also present at the meeting, according to a news agency.
- biplab