PM Urges Japan’s Marubeni to Invest in Bangladesh’s IT, Fertiliser and Energy Sectors

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Japanese business conglomerate Marubeni Corporation to invest in Bangladesh’s information technology (IT), fertiliser and energy sectors, as the government seeks to boost economic growth and attract both domestic and foreign investment.

The invitation came during a courtesy meeting between the prime minister and a high-level Marubeni delegation led by its President and CEO, Masayuki Omoto, at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday morning, Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman highlighted Marubeni’s longstanding business relationship with Bangladesh, particularly its involvement in jute products, and emphasised the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation into emerging sectors.

The discussions focused on potential investments in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, fertiliser production and energy. The two sides also explored the possibility of establishing a second plant of Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) in Bangladesh.

The prime minister underscored Bangladesh’s growing potential in the IT sector, highlighting its skilled workforce and the opportunity to develop the country into an international service hub.

He also outlined the government’s plans to strengthen IT and cybersecurity skills among Bangladeshi engineering graduates, expressing optimism that the country could become a major global service centre by harnessing its human resources, technological expertise and competitive service capabilities.

The possibility of establishing an AI-powered data centre in Bangladesh within the next 12 months was another key topic of discussion. The meeting also explored opportunities for Marubeni to contribute investment and technological expertise to the proposed project.

Agricultural modernisation through advanced technologies and artificial intelligence was also discussed, with both sides considering opportunities for investment and technical assistance to improve agricultural productivity and management.

Regarding fertiliser production, the discussions covered the expansion of Marubeni’s existing investment in KAFCO and the establishment of a second fertiliser plant in the country. Marubeni expressed interest in the proposal, according to Shadhin.

The meeting also expressed confidence that the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan would further deepen bilateral trade and investment relations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan attended the meeting.

The Marubeni delegation also included Susumu Wakamori, the company’s chief executive officer for Southwest Asia, and Manabu Sugawara, its country head in Bangladesh.