Special Correspondent, Dhaka:
Bangladesh and Japan are expected to deepen their strategic and economic partnership during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s October 26-29 visit to Tokyo, with up to four agreements likely to be signed alongside a joint communiqué outlining broader cooperation priorities.
The visit comes as Dhaka seeks to translate its strategic partnership with Tokyo into tangible gains in trade, investment, infrastructure, and skills development. The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in February 2026 has created fresh opportunities to expand bilateral commerce, although the extent of the benefits will depend on implementation and the ability of businesses to utilize the agreement.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the visit would provide an opportunity to broaden bilateral relations. Bangladesh is discussing around eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Japan, three to four of which are expected to be signed during the visit, he told a press conference at the Foreign Ministry.
The proposed agreements cover agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental protection, and local government modernization. Their potential significance lies in connecting diplomatic commitments with practical cooperation in areas that support economic diversification and institutional development.
Infrastructure will also feature prominently in discussions between the two prime ministers, including the metro rail project. Bangladesh will raise the possibility of reducing interest rates on Japanese loans, reflecting the importance of financing terms as the country manages infrastructure costs and broader economic pressures.
The visit is also expected to reinforce cooperation based on shared principles, including democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, while strengthening coordination under Japan’s updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.
Tarique is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with the Japanese prime minister on October 27, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Japanese leader.
The visit’s broader significance will ultimately depend on whether proposed agreements lead to measurable progress in investment, technology transfer, employment, and infrastructure delivery.
