Bangladesh and Japan Seal Landmark Trade Deal with Duty-Free Access
Bangladesh and Japan have finalised a new economic partnership agreement that grants duty-free access to nearly all Bangladeshi exports. The deal, reached in under a year, also opens up Japanese markets for Bangladeshi professionals and investors. Officials say it will boost trade while protecting local industries with a long transition period.
The agreement covers 7,389 tariff lines, allowing 99.9% of Bangladeshi products to enter Japan without duties. In return, Bangladesh has granted duty-free access to 1,070 Japanese goods. Analysts estimate the impact on national revenue will be minimal—less than Tk 20 crore per year.
Beyond trade, the deal expands opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Japan. Sectors like nursing, caregiving, engineering, and medicine are now more accessible. Language institutes are also being set up in Bangladesh to help workers and students obtain the necessary certifications for Japanese jobs.
Japan has opened 120 sectors to Bangladesh, while Bangladesh has reciprocated with 92 sectors. The agreement includes an 18-year transition period, giving local industries time to strengthen their competitiveness. Negotiations moved faster than similar talks with other regional partners, reflecting strong cooperation between the two nations.
The partnership is set to increase Bangladesh's export earnings while creating new job opportunities abroad. Local industries will have nearly two decades to adjust before facing full competition. Both countries now await the deal's implementation to measure its economic effects.
