Outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said the just-launched Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) at Araihazar in Narayanganj will undoubtedly attract investment not only from Japanese companies but also from other international companies.
He said the BSEZ fully meets the international standard in terms of facilities and infrastructure SEZ has to offer. "I expect more than 100 companies will operate here in the future, with US$ 1.5 billion investment in total. BSEZ can provide prospective investors with the best possible environment in the region," he said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially opened Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, also known as the "Japanese Economic Zone" at Araihazar in Narayanganj. She joined the event virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
There have already been inquiries from approximately 30 Japanese companies and 10 foreign companies looking at the possibility of investing in the BSEZ. In 2026, Ambassador Naoki said, Bangladesh will graduate from the LDC status and it is a wonderful feat for Bangladesh under this government.
"Then, the country aims to become a developed country in 2041 by achieving Vision 2041. I want to reiterate that Japan will continue to stand by Bangladesh in its development journey and work to build a win-win partnership for our prosperous future," he said, adding that the success of BSEZ will surely guide them to get there.
The Ambassador said he will return to Japan next week completing his tenure in Dhaka and he put in his best efforts over the last three years for the development of Bangladesh. "I sincerely hope that the dream of Bangabandhu to build Sonar Bangla and a happy and prosperous country will be realized," he said.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun and President and CEO, Sumitomo Corporation Masayuki Hyodo also spoke. BSEZ is the first Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh designed and developed by Japanese companies. Eight years have passed since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared their intention to cooperate for economic zone development.
"I am delighted that our leaders' intention was finally materialized, overcoming all the challenges we faced, including the Covid-19," said the Ambassador. "This is the Japanese Economic Zone. But, BEZA gave the name 'Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ).' I believe BEZA and the government did so with the expectation that it would become the flagship SEZ in Bangladesh," he said.
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