Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) launched its Japan Desk to strengthen economic relations with Japan and expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities, particularly in the apparel sector.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi formally inaugurated the desk at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, with BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and senior representatives of Japanese business organisations and companies present.
The new desk will serve as a one-stop platform for Japanese buyers and investors, facilitating business connections, investment and order management, particularly for small and medium-sized orders, according to BGMEA. The initiative aims to promote greater diversification of Bangladesh’s apparel export markets and products while creating stronger and longer-term business partnerships between the two countries.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador SAIDA congratulated BGMEA on establishing the Japan Desk and expressed hope that it would help further accelerate bilateral trade. He also stressed the importance of export diversification for sustainable economic growth. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the association does not consider excessive dependence on a single sector or traditional markets desirable.
“BGMEA is placing the highest priority on product and market diversification. The Japanese market holds significant potential for Bangladesh’s apparel sector, and the Japan Desk has been established to realise that potential,” he said.
He identified lead time, or the ability to deliver products within the shortest possible period, as one of the major challenges for Bangladesh’s apparel exporters in the Japanese market. BGMEA Senior Vice-President Inamul Haq Khan highlighted the transformation of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, improvements in workplace safety and compliance, and the importance of developing a long-term strategic partnership with Japan.
Japanese business representatives at the event appreciated the progress of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, particularly improvements in working conditions and compliance standards. They expressed optimism that the Japan Desk would strengthen business-to-business communication and contribute to economic growth in both countries.
BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman, who chairs the BGMEA Japan Market Strategy Development Committee, called on the Japanese ambassador to facilitate visa arrangements for Bangladeshi apparel entrepreneurs, particularly marketing and merchandising officials, who need to travel to Japan.
The Japan Market Strategy Development Committee was formed about a year ago by the current BGMEA board with the specific objective of expanding apparel exports to Japan. Mijanur Rahman serves as its chairman, while BGMEA Director Mohammad Sohel serves as coordinating director.
A presentation on the objectives and action plan of the Japan Desk was delivered by Kazi Sarwar Habib, adviser to the BGMEA Japan Committee and managing director of Furushima (BD) Ltd, and Mohammad Sohel, Coordinating Director of Japan Market Strategy Development Committee.
BGMEA Secretary General Major General Dr Md Sahedul Islam (retd) made a presentation on the association’s overall activities. Representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, JETRO Dhaka, Dhaka Shokai (JCIAD), Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni Corporation, Itochu Corporation and Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) attended the programme.
Among the Japanese representatives were JETRO Dhaka Overseas Business Advisor Daisuke Arai; JCIAD President and Toyota Tsusho Corporation Chief Representative Yuji Wagata; Teijin Frontier Co Ltd Dhaka Liaison Office General Manager Takamasa Yamamoto; Marubeni Corporation Bangladesh Country Head and General Manager Sugawara Manabu; Itochu Corporation Dhaka Liaison Office Chief Representative and General Manager Hiroaki Oura; and JBCCI President Tarek Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun).
The programme also included an interactive question-and-answer session where apparel entrepreneurs and guests discussed Japanese investment opportunities and areas of bilateral cooperation. The event concluded with a closing session and bilateral networking.
