HSBC showcases growing business opportunities between Japan and Bangladesh

Strengthening the Japan-Bangladesh trade corridor is crucial for the country's economic growth, said Mahbubur Rahman, secretary to the Ministry of Commerce, at a recent programme.

He made the remarks at a networking event, titled "Japan–Bangladesh Business Connections: Legacy and the Future", organised by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) Bangladesh at The Westin Dhaka, according to a press release.

Rahman welcomed HSBC's efforts to deepen the partnership.

The event celebrated the longstanding relationship between Japan and Bangladesh while emphasising the growing business engagement between the two nations.

Japan has been Bangladesh's largest bilateral development partner for over five decades, providing more than $32 billion in official development assistance (ODA) since independence through grants, loans, and technical cooperation. Japanese support spans key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, transport, agriculture, health, education and human resource development.

Major ongoing projects include the Matarbari Deep-Sea Port and Power Plant, the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, the Jamuna Railway Bridge, and the expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

With more than 350 Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh and bilateral trade approaching $3.8 billion, economic ties between the two countries continue to strengthen.

The event brought together distinguished guests from Japanese and Bangladeshi businesses, policymakers, and industry leaders.

Nahian Rahman Rochi, executive member and head of business development at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), presented insights on the Investment Climate of Bangladesh and outlined measures to simplify the investment framework to attract global investors.

As a special guest, Karasawa Shinju, first secretary and head of economic cooperation at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, said: "Over the past decades, Japanese companies have stood as steadfast partners in Bangladesh's development journey. As the title of today's event suggests -- Legacy and the Future -- our collaboration is rooted in decades of mutual trust and shared growth."

"Yet, it also looks forward to new possibilities: in digital transformation, green energy, logistics, and innovation-driven industries," Shinju added.

Hirotaka Shibata, director of corporate and institutional banking at HSBC Japan, reaffirmed HSBC's commitment to connecting Japanese and Bangladeshi businesses.

Shadab Hossain, head of global network banking at HSBC Bangladesh, was also present.