Bangladesh PM Invites Japanese Investment in Five Key Sectors
Published : 16:24, 28 October 2026
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited Japanese companies to invest in five key sectors: automobile manufacturing, energy, technology and space cooperation, railways and logistics, and agricultural processing and production.
He made the appeal while delivering the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum dialogue at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tokyo on Wednesday, October 28.
The prime minister said around 350 Japanese companies currently operate in Bangladesh, but Japanese foreign direct investment in the country remains below US$500 million. During the last fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth US$1.36 billion to Japan while importing US$2.16 billion worth of products from the country.
On automobile manufacturing, Tarique Rahman welcomed Toyota’s plan to begin full-scale production at a car manufacturing plant in Bangladesh by 2029. He assured the company of the government’s full cooperation in implementing the initiative.
In the energy sector, the prime minister called for Japanese investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, gas-fired power generation and renewable energy. He also outlined plans to establish a Bangladesh-Japan technology park focused on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics and electronics manufacturing.
Regarding railways and connectivity, Tarique Rahman highlighted a plan to develop an elevated high-speed rail network connecting major cities across the country, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal. He also encouraged greater Japanese participation in railway development and logistics.
Urging Japanese companies to invest in agricultural processing and production, the prime minister said industries meeting Japanese standards were being established at the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar. Sumitomo Corporation is developing the zone.
Tarique Rahman also addressed concerns among Japanese investors regarding reliable energy supplies, quality infrastructure, customs concessions and predictability in the tax system. He said the government was working to address these issues and create a more favourable investment environment.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Japan, the prime minister acknowledged Japan’s important role as a development partner. He said Bangladesh now wanted to move beyond traditional development cooperation and strengthen trade and investment ties with Japan over the next 30 to 50 years.
