Japan Desk launched to deepen apparel trade, investment ties

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Wednesday launched a Japan Desk to expand apparel exports to Japan and facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi inaugurated the desk at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex in Uttara.

At the programme, BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, also chairman of the BGMEA Japan Market Strategy Development Committee, urged the Japanese side to ease travel visa procedures for Bangladeshi apparel entrepreneurs, particularly marketing and merchandising officials.

The ambassador expressed optimism that the new desk would help boost bilateral trade and stressed the importance of export diversification for Bangladesh's sustainable economic growth.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the association considered product and market diversification a priority, as excessive dependence on a single sector or traditional markets could pose risks.

He said the Japanese market had significant potential for Bangladesh's readymade garment sector and that the Japan Desk had been established to tap into that potential.

"Managing short lead times for apparel exports to the Japanese market successfully remains the biggest challenge at present," Mahmud said.

The Japan Desk is the latest initiative following the formation of the BGMEA Japan Market Strategy Development Committee about a year ago to expand apparel exports to Japan. Mizanur Rahman heads the committee, while BGMEA Director Mohammad Sohel serves as its coordinating director.

The desk will serve as a platform for Japanese buyers and investors and is expected to facilitate business communication, Japanese investment and the handling of small and medium-sized orders, according to BGMEA.

At the inauguration, Japanese business representatives highlighted the progress, improved working conditions and compliance standards of Bangladesh's apparel industry. They also expressed optimism that the new desk would strengthen business ties and help expand bilateral trade.

The event featured presentations on the Bangladesh-Japan partnership and BGMEA's activities, followed by discussions on Japanese investment and potential areas of cooperation.

BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan highlighted the transformation of the country's apparel sector and its long-term strategic partnership with Japan.

Representatives from the Embassy of Japan, JETRO Dhaka Office, Dhaka Shumu-Ku-Kai (JCIAD), Toyota Tsusho, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni, Itochu Corporation and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) attended the event.

Daisuke Arai, overseas business advisor at the JETRO Dhaka Office; Yuji Wagata, president of Dhaka Shumu-Ku-Kai and chief representative of Toyota Tsusho Corporation; Takamasa Yamamoto of Teijin Frontier; Sugawara Manabu of Marubeni Corporation; Hiroaki Oura of Itochu Corporation; and Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), president of JBCCI, were among the Japanese business representatives present.

A networking session and interactive question-and-answer session involving industry entrepreneurs and other participants followed the inauguration.