This agreement ensures duty-free access for 97% of Bangladeshi exports, including garments, while deliberately excluding Japanese automobiles from duty-free entry. Japan is already our largest Asian export destination, with shipments worth around $2 billion annually. Yet, the fact that Japanese investment in Bangladesh remains modest, at about $500 million, means there is untapped potential there and the EPA provides the framework to change that. With 97 service sub-sectors opened to Japan, and 120 reciprocated by Tokyo, the scope for collaboration extends far beyond RMG and into ICT, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy. If we can match ambition with effective facilitation, this partnership with Japan could be just the first step of our post-LDC growth story.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 06, 2026 10:48 UTC