BGMEA opens Japan Desk to strengthen economic ties

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) formally inaugurated the BGMEA Japan Desk on Wednesday to strengthen Bangladesh-Japan economic relations and explore new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.
The initiative was launched at the Nurul Qadir Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, under the theme “Connectivity, Collaboration and Prosperity”.
Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi attended the event as the chief guest, while BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan was the special guest.
Senior representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka, JETRO Dhaka Office, Dhaka Shumoku-Kai (JCIAD), Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni Corporation, ITOCHU Corporation and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) also attended.
The current BGMEA Board formed a Japan Market Strategy Development Committee to expand Bangladesh’s apparel exports to Japan. BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman is its chairman, while BGMEA Director Mohammad Sohel serves as coordinating director. The Japan Desk is a continuation of the initiative.
The programme began with registration and networking, followed by a presentation on Bangladesh-Japan partnership. BGMEA Secretary General Maj Gen Dr Md Shahedul Islam (retd) delivered a presentation on the association’s overall activities.

Mijanur Rahman requested the ambassador’s attention to facilitating Japanese travel visas for Bangladeshi apparel entrepreneurs, particularly marketing and merchandising professionals.
In his address, Ambassador SAIDA Shinichi congratulated BGMEA on establishing the Japan Desk and expressed optimism that it would accelerate trade between the two countries. He also stressed the importance of export diversification for sustainable economic growth.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said excessive dependence on a single sector or traditional markets was undesirable, noting that BGMEA is therefore focusing on product and market diversification.
He identified Japan as a highly promising market for Bangladesh’s apparel industry and said the Japan Desk was established to capitalise on its potential. He also noted that reducing lead time and ensuring faster delivery remain key challenges for Bangladesh’s apparel exports to Japan.

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