Japan to ease business visa process for Bangladeshi business people: envoy

Japan will ease the business visa process for Bangladeshi business people to encourage greater business engagement and help boost bilateral trade, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi said on Wednesday.

He also stressed the need for Bangladesh to diversify its exports to ensure sustainable economic growth.

The ambassador made the remarks at the inauguration of the BGMEA Japan Desk at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan attended the programme as the special guest.

Senior representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka, 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) were present at the event.

The ambassador inaugurated the Japan Desk by cutting a ribbon, accompanied by BGMEA leaders and representatives of Japanese organisations and companies.

Speaking at the event, Saida said the Japan-Bangladesh partnership should gradually move from aid towards business as Bangladesh advances towards middle-income status.

He called for greater focus on investment, manufacturing and the promotion of startups as areas of future cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador said he would work closely with Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations and build on the existing ties between the two countries.

Bangladesh now has an important opportunity to work towards a brighter future, although the process of nation-building would not necessarily be smooth, he said.

"The relationship between Japan and Bangladesh is firmly bound together by trust and friendship. I would like to ask for your kind understanding and cooperation in this endeavour," Saida said in a message shared yesterday marking his recent assumption of office.

BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan (Bablu), Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice-President Vidya Amrit Khan, Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury and Vice-President Mohammad Rafiq Chowdhury were among those present.

BGMEA directors Nafis-Ud-Daula, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Rumana Rashid, Mohammad Sohel and Enamul Aziz Chowdhury, along with general members, also attended the programme.