Japan-Bangladesh ties should focus on investment, start-ups: Envoy

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi said the Japan-Bangladesh partnership should gradually shift from aid towards business as Bangladesh moves towards middle-income status, with greater focus on investment, manufacturing and start-up promotion.

He made the remarks at a seminar titled “Development Cooperation in a Complex Global Environment – Perspectives on Japan’s ODA and Future Partnerships”, organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Dhaka on Saturday, according to a press release.

JICA called for stronger and more adaptive development cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh as the global economic and geopolitical environment becomes increasingly complex.

State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari attended the seminar as chief guest, while Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky were special guests.

JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Junko Takahashi said Japan has remained a trusted partner in Bangladesh’s development journey and expressed confidence in further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

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She said Bangladesh’s transformation since independence reflects its vision, resilience and leadership, while Japan has supported the country throughout the journey.

Kyoto University Professor Hiroshi Nakanishi, in his keynote speech, said development cooperation is evolving in response to changes in the global environment, including growing great-power competition and economic security concerns.

He said Japan and Bangladesh need to adapt their partnership while building on their longstanding cooperation.

Abdul Bari highlighted Japan’s contribution to public-sector capacity building and expressed hope for greater cooperation in public administration reform and the development of a professional, merit-based civil service.

ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky said Bangladesh needs deeper partnerships focused on knowledge sharing, innovation and institutional capacity as it moves into its next stage of development.

The seminar also discussed competitiveness, governance, sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience and human capital development, with participants stressing co-creation, knowledge sharing and human resource development as key areas for future cooperation.