On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) held a courtesy meeting with H.E. Mr. Sk Bashir Uddin, Hon’ble Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce, at his office. The delegation of JBCCI was led by Mr. Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), President of JBCCI.

The discussions centered on advancing the ongoing negotiations between Bangladesh and Japan concerning the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and highlighting JBCCI’s initiatives and priorities. JBCCI’s recently published Study Report on EPA was shared with Hon’ble Advisor.

During the meeting, the JBCCI board emphasized the need for reforms in critical areas such as financial regulations, the business environment, taxation policies, and other challenges affecting business operations, the board presented several key recommendations, including:

1. Inclusion of JBCCI representation in EPA related committees and activities.
2. Reviewing and simplifying the complex tax system and addressing inconsistent taxation policies.
3. Streamlining and increasing transparency in administrative procedures, including customs clearance and business registration.
4. Simplifying criteria for work permits and visas, as well as easing the security clearance process for expatriates.
5. Relaxing financial regulations to promote ease of doing business.
6. Addressing policy inconsistencies to foster a stable business climate.
7. Restructuring government agencies to enhance efficiency.
8. Extending the renewal tenure for trade licenses.

H.E. Mr. Sk Bashir Uddin expressed his appreciation to the JBCCI board for their insights and assured that the government would take appropriate steps to address the highlighted concerns.

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Tareq, managing director of New Vision Solutions Limited, previously served as JBCCI’s secretary general for three consecutive terms.

Maria Howlader, now the first female secretary general of the chamber, has also been re-elected as a board member for a second consecutive term.
Kenji Kimura, chief representative of MUFG Bank’s Dhaka Office—the largest bank in Japan and part of the Mitsubishi Group—was elected as treasurer.

The positions of vice president-1 and vice president-2 went to Anwar Shahid, managing director of MAS Consultants, and Hiroaki Oura, general manager of ITOCHU Corporation’s Dhaka Liaison Office, respectively. Yuji Ando, country representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), was elected joint secretary general, while Md Jahangir Alam Sharker, managing director and CEO of 3i LOGISTICS (Private) Limited, was elected joint treasurer.

Other board members include: AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, managing director & CEO (TechKnowGram Ltd); Atsushi Hirakuri, general manager (Sojitz Asia Pte Ltd); Hiroshi Uegaki, country representative & general manager (Mitsubishi Corporation, Dhaka Branch); Manabu Sugawara, general manager (Marubeni Corporation, Dhaka Office); Md Shariful Alam, country chairperson (Mitsui & Co (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd); Mohammed Sohel, managing director (Bangla Poshak Ltd); Nayeemur Rahman, head of Business Planning (Eastern Motors Ltd); Rabiul Alam, managing director (MKK Logistics); and Saori Fujimoto, director (TNY Legal Bangladesh Ltd).

The election saw a voter turnout of 61.98% from the 313 members, which included 71 Japanese companies.

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