Reporter Name 
According to a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday (December 22), Japan will also gain duty free access to 1,039 Bangladeshi products under the agreement.
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced the successful conclusion of the EPA negotiations during a telephone conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu earlier in the day.
The statement highlighted that Bangladesh’s key export items, particularly readymade garments, will enjoy duty free entry into Japan from the first day the agreement comes into force. The EPA also includes Single Stage Transformation provisions for RMG products, which are expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the Japanese market.
The agreement covers trade in services as well, with Bangladesh committing to open 97 service sub sectors to Japan, while Japan will open 120 sub sectors to Bangladesh across four modes of supply. Officials believe these commitments will encourage higher levels of Japanese investment in Bangladesh and support greater transfer of technology and expertise.
The government expects the EPA to generate wide ranging economic benefits, including growth in trade, increased foreign investment and expanded employment opportunities, further deepening economic ties between Bangladesh and Japan.
Negotiations on the EPA between Bangladesh and Japan, the world’s fourth largest economy, have now been completed at the negotiator level. Legal review and final approvals are still required before the agreement is signed.
Senior officials present during the announcement included Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Negotiator Ayesha Akter, Deputy Chief Negotiator Md Firoj Uddin Ahmed, and focal point Mahbuba Khatoon Minu.
According to the release, during the early step of the negotiations, a Joint Study Group was established which published its report on 27 December, 2023. The report recommended a comprehensive approach covering 17 sectors for negotiation.
Later, the official negotiations for the EPA commenced on 12 March, 2024, as per the Agreed Work Plan. The first round was held in Dhaka from 19–23 May, 2024, but due to unforeseen challenges, the talks were temporarily paused.
Finally, in response to the critical importance of the EPA for Bangladesh’s economic growth, the interim government refocused its efforts starting November 2024, setting an ambitious goal to conclude the agreement within a year. This led to the adoption of an accelerated negotiation process, significantly speeding up the remaining rounds.
The remaining negotiations progressed as follows:
. Third Round in Tokyo: 19–20 December 2024, where both sides intensified discussions.
. Fourth Round in Dhaka: 2–6 February 2025, a critical moment for building momentum.
. Fifth Round in Tokyo: 20–26 April 2025, as both parties pushed forward with urgency.
. Sixth Round in Dhaka: 21–26 June 2025, where the agreement’s details started to take shape.
. Seventh and Final Round in Tokyo: 3–12 September 2025, bringing the discussions to a successful close.
Through these seven rounds, the EPA text was finalized, adhering to the original work plan.
A crucial factor behind the swift progression of the negotiations was the direct involvement of Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin and Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, the release added.
Their proactive steps included chairing multiple inter-ministerial meetings and also high-level visits to Japan, where they engaged directly with their ministerial counterparts.
These visits were instrumental in reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to finalizing the agreement. Their personal involvement highlighted the interim government’s deep commitment to securing the EPA, underscoring its strategic importance.
