Urges Uniqlo to Invest in Bangladesh
PM Focus on Man-Made Fiber and Technical Textiles
- PM urges Uniqlo to invest in man-made fibers and sustainable apparel.
- High-level meeting held in Japan with Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai.
- Discussions emphasize tech transfer and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Uniqlo, Japan's renowned global apparel manufacturer and retailer, to invest in Bangladesh's man-made fiber (MMF), technical textiles, and sustainable garment manufacturing sectors. The Prime Minister made this call on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:30 AM local time in Japan during a high-level meeting with a delegation led by Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President, and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.—the parent company of Uniqlo. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shahadat Swadhin, reported that the meeting highlighted Bangladesh's readiness to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and eco-friendly industrial practices. Relevant authorities stated that the meeting marks a significant step toward expanding high-tech textile partnerships between Bangladesh and Japan.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman praised Uniqlo's continued confidence in Bangladesh and its long-standing commercial engagement with Fast Retailing. Discussions focused heavily on technological integration, capacity building, digital product innovation, advanced production automation, and eco-friendly manufacturing frameworks. Both parties reaffirmed the critical importance of implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which is anticipated to streamline trade tariffs and accelerate bilateral foreign direct investment.
The Bangladeshi delegation included Minister for Finance and Planning Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, PM's Advisor on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman, Special Assistant to the PM Shakirul Islam Khan, and Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Remon. The Japanese side was represented by Fast Retailing Director Takeshi Okazaki and Group Senior Executive Officer Yoshihiro Kunii. Industry experts note that combining Japanese technical expertise with Bangladeshi manufacturing capacity will significantly elevate the nation's industrial competitiveness.
//DBTech/BSSR/SPM/FOE//
