Inviting Japanese investment in Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the government would provide 2,000 acres of land to establish special economic zones for Japanese investors.
“We are giving Japan 500 acres of land in Gazipur and another 1,500 acres in Narayanganj for special economic zones for Japanese investors,” he told journalists after a meeting with a visiting Japanese delegation yesterday.
Tofail Ahmed also urged Japan to take “Bangladesh plus one” policy for investment like its earlier policies - “China plus one” and “Thailand plus one.”
Yoshihiro Seki, parliamentary vice minister for economy, trade and industry, led the delegation.
Yoshihiro Seki said his government would continue to help Bangladesh achieve development goals.
Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh’s export to Japan would reach $2bn in next three years as Japan allowed duty-free access of everything except ammunition and hand gloves from Bangladesh.
He said Japan also changed rules of origin from two-stage to one-stage for knit and woven products.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, in the FY2014-15, Bangladesh earned $915.22m from exports to Japan while it imported products of $1.51bn to Japan. The export earnings made over 6% growth in the year.
According to the EPB data, export earnings from the RMG sector dominates as the figure stood at $652.55m last year, making up 71.3% of total export.
Currently, Bangladesh exports apparel products, shrimp, leather and leather products, jute and jute goods.
