PM’s Japan Visit to Focus on Economic Partnership, Investment: Humaiun Kobir

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and attracting investment will be the key priorities during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan.

“Our main priorities during the Japan visit will be to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic partnerships and increase investment,” he told journalists after attending a seminar titled “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh-KSA Relations”.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for a four-day visit to Japan on October 26.

Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh would focus on trade, investment and development cooperation across various sectors, in line with its broader approach to engaging with international partners.

He added that Bangladesh was now seeking mutually beneficial investment partnerships with countries worldwide, focusing on clearly defined areas of cooperation.

Describing Japan as one of Bangladesh’s largest and longest-standing development partners, Humaiun said Japanese investments in several mega projects had strengthened diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

He recalled that the prime minister had previously attended an energy summit in Japan at the invitation of the Japanese premier when the country was facing an energy crisis. According to Humaiun, the engagement helped build confidence in Bangladesh’s prime minister among the Japanese government.

The upcoming visit is expected to include detailed discussions on sector-specific cooperation and opportunities for reciprocal investment, he added.

Regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Saudi Arabia, Humaiun said the Saudi Crown Prince had invited the Bangladeshi leader to visit the Kingdom, and the invitation had been accepted.

“He has accepted and will do so at some point very soon,” the state minister said.

He also said the Saudi Crown Prince had expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh, adding that Dhaka would welcome him at a mutually convenient time.

Asked about protecting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Humaiun said Bangladesh’s position was clear and unwavering.

He said Bangladesh, as one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority countries, stood ready to provide necessary support if requested to help protect the holy sites and mosques of the Muslim world.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Center for Migration Studies at North South University (NSU).

Foreign Ministry Secretary (Bilateral) Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed attended as special guests.

BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman and NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury also addressed the seminar.