ADDRESS BY H.E. MR. MATSUSHIRO HORIGUCHI, THE AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO

BANGLADESH, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF “JAPAN TRADE SHOW 2004”

AND INAUGURATION OF “JAPAN-BANGLADESH CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (JBCCI)” ON 8^TH JUNE 2004

H.E. Mr. M. Morshed Khan, M.P.,

Honorable Foreign Minister;

H.E. Air. Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury,

Honorable Commerce Minister;

Mr. Koji Nojima,

Chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation;

Mr. Mahmudur Rahman,

Executive Chairman of Board of Investment;

Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo,

President of FBCCI;

Mr. Masaru Okamoto,

President of Shoo-Koo-Kai;

Mr. Matiur Rahman,

President of JBCCI;

Mr. Kunio Sumiyoshi,

Senior Vice President, JETRO, Tokyo ;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Assalamu Alaikum. 

I am very delighted to be here today on this occasion of Opening Ceremony of “Japan Trade Show 2004” and the inauguration of “Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & industry” (JBCCI). I would like to convey my sincere appreciations to the distinguished guests and participants who joined this memorable occasion with us today. I also take this opportunity to congratulate JETRO for organizing two big events and playing a leading role to promote trade and investment between our two countries.

Japan is one of the major trade destinations for Bangladeshi goods. GSP facility allows duty free access of most Bangladeshi products to Japan . Likewise, Japan ’s export of such items as automobiles, electrical appliances and capital machinery to Bangladesh greatly contributes to the national development of the country. More than 50 companies, both Japanese and Bangladeshi, are taking part in this Trade Show and we can get a glimps of major Japanese products and services to Bangladesh for three days here at Sheraton Hotel. I believe that this first ever trade show of Japanese products will greatly contribute to exploring new avenues of trade and commerce and will  help forge stronger trade links between businessmen of two countries at individual levels.

I celebrate on this occasion the launching of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI). It is very encouraging that the board of JBCCI, composed of both Japanese and Bangladeshi, has already been working for mutual benefits. I am impressed by their great willingness to support potential traders and investors. I am sure that JBCCI will play a vital role to further promote economic relationship between the two countries in a new perspective. I would like to request to seek you all the kind support and suggestions to make JBCCI work more effectively in the future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Not only government officials but also many business leaders from private sector have visited Japan under various exchange and training programmes of JETRO, JICA and AOTS. Their expertise and experience in Japan have potential to greatly contribute to expanding trade and investment. The private sector, especially JBCCI, could top on those human resources to strengthen the existing economic ties between Japan and Bangladesh .

As a partner of the country’s development process, the Government of Japan has been supporting the Government of Bangladesh in the fields of infrastructure, social sector like education and health, and private sector development.  We welcome the strong leadership of Bangladesh government to achieve desired common development goals. Private sector, obviously, is the engine for diversifying export items, creating more job opportunities, thus achieving targeted economic growth. The governments of our two countries also have important roles to play in providing an economic environment conducive to the expansion of such relations, by maintaining a credible economic policy consistent with the needs of the private sector.

In conclusion, I sincerely wish this Japan Trade Show a great success and wish brighter days ahead for the JBCCI and for the overall growth and prosperity of relationship between our two people.

Thank you all.

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