Terming Japan as the best friend of Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed called upon the Japanese investors to make investment in Bangladesh to enjoy the business-friendly atmosphere including special economic zones, gas and electricity facilities. At present, 249 Japanese companies are operating their business in Bangladesh, the commerce minister informed adding, considering the Japanese partnership with Bangladesh, the government is assisting to establish a special economic zone for Japanese investors. “The government of Bangladesh is working to establish several special economic zones at different parts of the country and it is also planning to offer Japanese investors economic zones”, he said. Besides the existing friendly relation with Japan, Dhaka also maintains a good business relation with Tokyo, Tofail said informing that total trade volume between the two countries is around $2.5 billion where Japan shares $1.5 billion by exporting different products in Bangladesh. “Within two to three years, the trade volume will exceed $4 billion as Bangladesh export to Japan will cross $2 billion by next few years”, he hoped. The commerce minister was addressing at launching programme of Brand Ambassador of Bangladesh and Japan named “BATTORA KUN”, a tiger mascot, held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Sunday. Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh Masato Watanabe addressed the programme as special guest while Kei Kawano, Country Representative of JETRO, Toshuiya Sano, JCIAD president, and Nazir Hossain, creator of the mascot, among others, addressed the programme. Tofail Ahmed said the government is establishing a deep-sea port and a power plant in Matarbari with the financial assistance and cooperation of Japan. Such assistance will drive Bangladesh reach the goal of middle income country status before the desired period. Praising the government of Japan for assisting Bangladesh for cooperating since its independence, Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh has so far received $13 billion grant from the government of Japan since 1971. Branding Bangladesh is necessary while the mascot, tiger reflects the national strength of the nation, he added. Later, a cultural was also arranged where the participants performed wearing the mascot.
