Japan Seeks to Expand Agricultural Exports to Bangladesh

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Suzuki Norikazu visited Bangladesh on April 29, 2026, to seek cooperation in expanding the export of Japanese agricultural products and processed foods. Serving as a special envoy for the Japanese Prime Minister, Suzuki led a high-level delegation to discuss trade expansion, technological cooperation, and the implementation of a recent economic agreement.

During a meeting on April 29, 2026, at his parliament office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman received Minister Suzuki. The discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in the agriculture and technology sectors. Suzuki emphasized the importance of effectively advancing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026.

On behalf of the Japanese government, Suzuki invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan. The prime minister expressed his hope to make an official visit at a convenient time. During the encounter, Suzuki congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming the office of Prime Minister and expressed optimism for elevating relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman identified the creation of employment opportunities for young people as a top priority for the current government. He called for increased Japanese investment in the automobile, electronics, and agriculture sectors. The prime minister expressed interest in exporting skilled Bangladeshi manpower to Japan, specifically within the agriculture and healthcare sectors, a proposal to which the Japanese delegation responded positively.

Agricultural Trade and Technical Cooperation

Minister Suzuki also held talks with Bangladeshi Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on April 29, 2026. Suzuki requested assistance in increasing the export of Japanese processed foods and agricultural products, including rice, to the Bangladeshi market.

In response, Minister Rashid stated that Bangladesh seeks technological support from Japan in the areas of food safety and agriculture. The discussions highlighted the strategic importance of the Bangladeshi market, which has a population exceeding 170 million people and is expected to experience further economic growth.

Suzuki noted that Tokyo intends to develop markets in countries that maintain traditionally friendly relations with Japan and where the understanding of Japanese food is deepening.

Market Exploration and Trade Facilitation

As part of the visit, Minister Suzuki and his delegation inspected a supermarket in Dhaka, Unimart, to review retail operations and study the varieties of food items and rice currently sold in the capital. The delegation included Saida Shinichi and representatives from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The delegation was received at Unimart by United Group director Sharfuddin Akhter Rashid, Unimart chief executive officer Gazi Mahfuzur Rahman, and Unimart chief operating officer Shahin Mahmud.

Discussions during the site visit covered the potential for increasing the presence of Japanese products in Bangladesh and addressed specific trade facilitation challenges. These included the need for continued policy dialogue between the two governments and issues regarding import taxation.

Officials stated that the visit is intended to support greater cross-border trade, retail partnerships, and cooperation regarding food imports between Japan and Bangladesh.