Japan to invest $2.0b in BD: Ito

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 17: Bangladesh is the future destination of Japanese investments, Japan's ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito said this during a meeting with president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mahbubul Alam on Tuesday.

He said Japan will make an investment worth US $2.0 billion in the country.

Of the amount, $1.0 billion will be invested in Araihajar upazila of Naryanganj district and another $1.0 billion at the Mirsarai Economic Zone (MEZ) in Chattogram district, Mr Ito informed Mr Alam during a curtsey call on him at the hall room of the CCCI's World Trade Centre (WTC).

He said that the deep sea port of Matarbari of Cox's Bazar district, which is an extension of the Chittagong Port, Bangladesh's prime seaport, will play a role of the 'game-changer' in the country's economy.

He also said that Matarbari deep sea port will contribute greatly to Bangladesh's economy.

"Currently, a total of 315 Japanese companies are doing business in Bangladesh," he further said.

"Bangladesh is the future goal of Japanese investment. Japan will invest one billion US dollar in Araihajar in Naryangonj. Later, Japan will invest more one billion US dollar at the Mirsarai Economic Zone (MEZ) in Chattogram," he stated.

"Growing economy, increasing GDP and the local and foreign investments are taking Bangladesh towards development now, he said, adding "Dhaka should remove the 'prevailing obstacles' on foreign and local investment, execute the Big-B Initiatives and make amendment to some rules for further growth of its economy."

"Bangladesh has to create skilled manpower in future for attracting Japanese investment. Japan will always help Dhaka to ensure that Bangladesh attains the SDG in 2030 and become a developed country within 2041," he mentioned.

Addressing the event, CCCI president Alam expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government and the investors for investing in Bangladesh. "Japanese companies invested here and created huge job opportunities for our people. I request the investors to invest more in Bangladesh as the sign of friendship of people of both countries," he said.

Mr Alam also said that the CCCI, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and the Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) will sign an agreement to mark the 50 years of trade relationship between Tokyo and Dhaka on November 22 next.

CCCI directors Anjan Shekhor Das, Mohammed Shariar Jahan, Najmul Karim Chowdhury Sharon, Sayed Mohammed Tanvir and Shafique Ahamed Salam, and secretary of the Economic Affairs Development Cooperation section at the Embassy of Japanese, Kei Onishi, also addressed the meeting.

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