Hybrid Seminar on “Bangladesh-Japan Partnership for the Next Development Journey”

    On March 16, a hybrid seminar on “Bangladesh-Japan Partnership for the Next Development Journey” hosted by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) was held as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh.

    Mr. M. A. Mannan, MP, Hon'ble Minister of Planning attended as a chief guest and H.E. Mr. ITO Naoki, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, attended as a guest of honour. Mr. Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of foreign affairs and H.E. Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan also graced the occasion.
 
    “Economic cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh has been remarkable and bilateral trade and investment will expand further. However Bangladesh may need to cope with the emerging new challenges, and industries must be diversified. Introducing new technologies is necessary for productivity growth, and workforce development with skills will also be essential. Expansion of Japanese FDIs particularly from the private sector will help Bangladesh address those challenges. In this milestone year, we look forward to working together with the government and the people of Bangladesh. Japan looks forward to the new era of Japan-Bangladesh relationship and reassures its readiness to work together towards our more sustainable and prosperous future.” said H.E. Mr. ITO.

    H.E Mr. ITO also expressed concern about the crisis in Ukraine that unilaterally attempt to change the status quo by force. Peace is of utmost importance for the stable development and economic growth of each country, and such a crisis must never happen in Asia and the Pacific region, H.E. added.
 
    Ms. Kathy Matsui, board member of Asian University for Women, and general partner of MPower Partners, and Mr. Syed Yusuf Saadat, Senior research associate, CPD delivered Keynote speech. Dr. Rahman Sobhan, Founder and Chairman of CPD also delivered remarks.

    In the Panel discussion session, Dr. Tatsufumi Yamagata, professor of College of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Dr Kenta Goto professor of Faculty of economics, Kansai University, Mr. Yuho Hayakawa, chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh office, Mr. Asif A Chowdhury, president Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), and Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of CPD participated as scholars and specialists.

    In the Keynote speech, Mr. Yusuf presented a research paper highlighting Japan’s contribution to Bangladesh’s development in the past and how Japan can partner with Bangladesh in its next phase of growth during the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and beyond its graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC).
Issues such as “Womenomics”, FTA, investment climate challenges, skill training for youth for meeting needs of Japanese companies, and Branding of Bangladesh were also raised in the discussion.