Bangladesh's strategic geographic position at the crossroads of South Asia and ASEAN offers Japanese investors a unique opportunity, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said Tuesday, adding that investing in Bangladesh gives Japan access to a regional market of more than 3 billion consumers.

Hajjaj made the remarks as chief guest at the Bangladesh Investment Promotion Seminar in Osaka, jointly organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

He described Bangladesh not merely as a promising investment destination but as a strategic economic bridge between South Asia and ASEAN.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said. 

He said progress on the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the establishment of a special economic zone for Japanese investors would elevate bilateral economic ties and create a more favourable environment for Japanese businesses.

Citing Japan's Meiji Restoration as a model of national transformation through education, technology, industrialisation and visionary leadership, Hajjaj said Bangladesh sought to draw on that experience to build its future economy through knowledge, innovation, productivity and skilled human resource development.

He said Bangladesh's economy currently exceeds $500 billion, having sustained growth above 6 percent for a prolonged period and maintained growth above 4.5 percent despite global economic headwinds. The government aims to grow the economy to $1 trillion by 2034.

Bangladesh's workforce of more than 70 million young people is the country's biggest competitive strength, Hajjaj said, noting that per capita income surpassing $3,000 is rapidly expanding the domestic market and purchasing power, creating fresh opportunities for foreign investors.

Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan currently stands at around $3.5 billion, he said, with both countries aiming to raise that figure to $10 billion in the coming years.

He identified machinery and light engineering, industrial components, automobile and electric vehicle parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, APIs and medical equipment, diversified jute products, agro-processing, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy, port and logistics infrastructure, industrial park development, robotics, education technology and skilled human resource development as promising sectors for Japanese investment. He also pointed to potential partnerships in education technology and skills development with firms such as Artec.

Hajjaj said Bangladesh and Japan had significant scope for cooperation in education, skills development, healthcare and medical tourism, noting that Bangladesh's young, educated workforce could help address Japan's growing labour shortage and ageing population, with room for long-term partnership in skills training and employment.

At the start of his remarks, the state minister thanked the Japanese government, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali, JETRO and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising the seminar and for their continued support in strengthening Bangladesh-Japan economic relations. He noted that Japan, through JICA and various bilateral initiatives, has for decades been a trusted development partner in Bangladesh's infrastructure, education and human resource development.

Bangladesh and Japan are entering a new era based on investment, trade, technology, innovation and shared prosperity, Hajjaj said, calling on Japanese businesses and investors to become long-term partners in Bangladesh's growth journey.

The seminar was attended by Bangladesh's Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali, senior officials from JETRO and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japanese House of Councillors member Futoshi Okazaki, Cypher-Core Company Limited Chief Operating Officer Motoyuki Odachi, and business leaders and entrepreneurs from more than 100 leading Japanese companies.