Japan and Bangladesh have ample opportunity to further engage in trade and investment for mutual benefits.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan said this at a view-exchange meeting with Japanese ambassador in Dhaka ITO Naoki.
The envoy made a courtesy visit to the BGMEA office in Gulshan on Monday, according to a press statement.
BGMEA vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim and Miran Ali, director Asif Ashraf and Japan embassy first secretary Haruta Hiroki were also present at the meeting.
They discussed possible ways of expanding trade between Bangladesh and Japan and further deepening the relationship between the two Asian countries.
They recognised the need for removing the existing trade barriers with an eye to facilitating more trade and investment.
The duo also expressed willingness to initiate communication between the two countries' tradespeople, particularly those who are involved in the fashion industry, to generate business opportunities.
Mr Hassan says his country aims to increase the share of its apparel export to Japan and accordingly seeks Mr Naoki's cooperation in this connection.
He urged the envoy to encourage Japanese businessmen to make investments in potential sectors, especially in the non-cotton textile sector, here.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh is increasingly focusing on apparel made from synthetic fibres to meet the rising demand in the global market.
The Japanese envoy pointed to extending incentive facility to RMG factories inside export processing zone (EPZ) against their exports to new markets.
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