Friday, August 22, 2014

Developing spl economic zones for Japanese investors urged:Daily Sun

  The first Bangladesh-Japan Public-Private Economic Dialogue was held in the city on Thursday, aiming to boost bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries, reports UNB. Japanese Vice-Minister (International Affairs) of the Economy, Trade and Industry Norihiko Ishiguro led a 38-member Japanese delegation, while Senior Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO
) Abul Kalam Azad led a 32-member Bangladeshi delegation to the dialogue held at Chameli Hall of the PMO. At the dialogue convened by the government of Bangladesh, both sides recalled that launching of the dialogue was facilitated through adoption of the ‘Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership’ during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan in May 2014. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of areas of mutual economic interest, including the prevailing investment climate and regime, development of infrastructure and industrial base, including development of Special Economic Zones, further improvement of regulatory and administrative arrangements to facilitate the movement of investment, issues related to augmenting bilateral trade. The participants were of the opinion that engagements between the two countries should be based and advanced on the basis of mutual trust, respect and interest and equitable sharing of benefits. They noted a number of ways and areas to tap mutually beneficial opportunities for private investments in Bangladesh and identified some possible sectors like textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, IT and ITES, tourism and hospitality and health where the two countries can enter into cooperative undertakings in the future. They hoped that dialogue can provide a window for interaction and actions between governmental actors and private sector of the two countries on many areas that are not yet explored. The Japanese side stressed the importance of developing the Special Economic Zones and infrastructures in Bangladesh to attract greater quantum of investments from Japan. They urged Bangladesh to address some of operational issues flagged by the Japanese investors, including simplification of various procedures related to certification, licensing approval process, issuance of visa and work permit. During the discussion, business leaders of the two countries shared their respective perspectives. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed and Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation Koji Takayanagi were, among others, present. Prior to the dialogue, a delegation led by Norihiko Ishiguro met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed separately. The Second Joint Bangladesh-Japan Public-Private Economic Dialogue will be convened by Japan next year.

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