BD and Japan Agree to Sign EPA to Boost Trade Partnership

Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, stressed that trade will be a key driver of future Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, enhancing economic, political, and cultural ties.

At the Bay of Bengal Conversation organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in Dhaka on November 17, 2024, the Indian High Commissioner emphasized the enduring stability of India-Bangladesh relations, noting that despite political turbulence in Bangladesh, their bilateral ties continue to thrive across trade, transport, energy connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

Bangladesh and Japan are set to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by late 2025 or early 2026, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. The announcement came during the launch of the "EPA Study Report" at the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday

Japan is negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement with Bangladesh to strengthen economic ties, with a focus on development projects like the Dhaka Metro Rail. Japanese Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori, speaking at the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted Chattogram’s strategic role in South Asia and Japan’s commitment to supporting investment and human resource growth.

South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh, Park Young-sik, stressed the urgent need for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as Bangladesh nears its graduation from least developed country (LDC) status on November 24, 2026. At the "Korea-Bangladesh Economic Cooperation" seminar, he highlighted that swift negotiations are vital for market access and foreign investment.