The first Joint Bangladesh-Japan Public- Private Economic Dialogue, held in Dhaka, concluded successfully with the governments and private sector of the two countries noting a number of ways and area, including textiles and leather, to tap for mutually-beneficial private investments opportunities in Bangladesh. However the Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers strongly opposed any Japanese investment in basic garment production, since they firmly believed that the domestic entrepreneurs are fully capable and urged the Japanese businessmen to invest in areas with low local investment, composite textile industry and value-added products such as suits, tents and school bags, said BGMEA, VP Reaz bin Mahmood, Reaz. The Japanese delegation meanwhile rooted for development of special economic zones and adjoining infrastructures in Bangladesh and simplification of operational issues and procedures related to certification, licensing approval process, issuance of visa, and work permit.
