Written by The Banking Post
Business leaders from Bangladesh and Japan have called for urgent removal of trade and investment bottlenecks to make the newly signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) effective, stressing that policy inconsistency and irrational tariffs remain major obstacles.
The call came during a strategic dialogue involving public and private stakeholders, where participants emphasised the need for swift ratification of the EPA and practical steps to facilitate smoother trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Several speakers proposed forming dedicated committees, including a task force, to identify challenges and guide implementation of the agreement—Bangladesh’s first EPA and Japan’s first with a least developed country.
The commerce minister described the agreement as a “milestone”, noting that the government is already prioritising trade facilitation through lower logistics costs, improved port efficiency and simplified procedures.
“EPA signing is a milestone to look beyond the horizon from now,” he said, adding that private sector representatives have been included in three committees tasked with identifying necessary policy support.
Business leaders highlighted Bangladesh’s large working-age population and resilience as key strengths that could drive mutual gains under the agreement, provided structural barriers are addressed.
The Japanese ambassador underscored the long-term significance of the EPA, saying it would enhance business confidence and deepen bilateral ties over the next 15 years and beyond.
“Your EPA is not designed for the upcoming five years, but 15 years and longer,” he said, also suggesting the establishment of a dedicated help desk to facilitate Japanese investment.
Trade experts noted that the agreement would help Bangladesh maintain duty-free market access after its graduation from least developed country status, while also attracting greater Japanese investment through reduced tariff barriers.
They added that effective implementation—backed by consistent policies and institutional coordination—will be critical to fully realising the benefits of the landmark trade deal.
