JTIA Delegation Meets BKMEA Leaders to Discuss Trade and Investment Opportunities

A delegation from the Logistics Committee of the Japan Textile Importers Association (JTIA) met with the leaders of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) today (10 November) to discuss the overall export-import situation and explore potential areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem presided over the meeting held at the association’s Dhaka office. Vice President Mohammad Rashed and Director M. Ishfaq Ahsan were also present at the program.

The Japanese delegation was led by Toshinao Kawai, Committee Chairman and SCM, Supply Chain Management Department of MN Inter-Fashion Ltd.

The team also included Issei Nozawa, International Logistics Secretary, Administration Department, Lifestyle Business Division of Kowa Company; Shingo Igami, General Manager, Overseas Affairs Department of Toyoshima & Company Limited; Norihiro Kamiya, Managing Director of JTIA; and Kojiro Minami, Manager, Osaka Sales & Marketing Department of AIT Corporation.

During the discussion, BKMEA President described Japan as the most trusted partner of Bangladesh and highlighted the country’s favorable environment for Japanese investment. He noted that Bangladesh’s RMG sector is rapidly moving toward manmade fiber-based production, creating significant opportunities for Japanese technology and collaboration.

He urged the JTIA delegation to engage with the Japanese government to include Bangladesh under Japan’s “China Plus” policy and to accelerate the implementation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries. BKMEA is always ready for all kinds of cooperation in this regard, he assured.

Vice President Mohammad Rashed emphasized potential areas of collaboration, including information exchange, buyer-supplier linkages, technology sharing and EPA readiness. He also requested the delegation’s support in simplifying the visa procedures for business visits.

In his remarks, delegation leader Toshinao Kawai shared insights into Japan’s current import landscape and underlined the strategic importance of an EPA. He expressed willingness to enhance information and technology sharing between the two sides.