Collected Photo Bangladesh seeks expanded infrastructure cooperation and lower interest rates on Japanese loans, foreign secretary says. Bangladesh and Japan are expected to strengthen their strategic partnership during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Tokyo from October 26 to 29, with the commitment likely to be reflected in a joint communiqué, officials in Dhaka and Tokyo have said.Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the visit would provide an opportunity to deepen and expand bilateral relations.
“The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026 has created new opportunities for expanding trade and investment,” he told a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced the prime minister’s upcoming visit today.
“The visit of Tarique Rahman is expected to further strengthen the ‘Strategic Partnership’ between Japan and Bangladesh, a key regional partner that shares values and principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and enhance coordination towards realising the updated ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’,” the Japanese ministry said in its announcement.
Siam said Bangladesh was discussing around eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Japan, of which three to four were expected to be signed during the visit.
Draft agreements covering agriculture, fisheries, human resource development and skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental protection, and the modernisation of local government are still under discussion, he added.
The foreign secretary said infrastructure cooperation, including the metro rail project, would be discussed during bilateral talks between the two prime ministers. The two sides would also discuss the possibility of reducing interest rates on loans extended by Japan to Bangladesh, he added.
According to the preliminary itinerary, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend several meetings with government officials and private-sector representatives and visit key facilities during his stay.
On October 27, the second day of the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart at the Japanese leader’s office. He is also expected to attend a luncheon hosted by the Japanese prime minister.
FP/MIB
