MM Rahmatullah: The Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) has unveiled a new Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term, pledging to deepen trade, investment and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan amid growing economic engagement between the two countries.

The transition took place at JBCCI’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday afternoon at Hotel Lakeshore in Dhaka, where around 240 general members, board members and distinguished guests from different organisations attended the programme.

The AGM marked a significant leadership transition for the bilateral chamber, with the new board promising to build on JBCCI’s recent initiatives and strengthen its role as a platform connecting Bangladeshi and Japanese businesses.

The programme was moderated by Ms Tahera Ahsan, Executive Director of JBCCI.

Outgoing President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), in his welcoming remarks, highlighted JBCCI’s role in advancing bilateral trade and business relations between Bangladesh and Japan.

Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA presented an overview of the chamber’s major activities from November 2025 to September 2026. She highlighted JBCCI’s continued efforts to promote bilateral relations and provide greater opportunities and facilities for its members.

JBCCI’s membership has increased to 391 companies from 369 last year, reflecting growing interest among businesses in strengthening commercial ties between Bangladesh and Japan.

Joint Treasurer Md Jahangir Alam Sharker CPA presented the audited annual financial report, noting that the chamber maintained sustainable financial growth despite organising a wide range of programmes and activities during the year.

He said JBCCI’s financial management remained focused on transparency, accountability and prudent stewardship.

The AGM also approved a proposal to appoint Shafiq Mizan Rahman & Augustine, Chartered Accountants, as the chamber’s auditor for the 2026–27 financial year.

Members appreciated JBCCI’s initiatives during the year, including seminars, Japanese business delegations, memorandums of understanding with various organisations, roundtable discussions, networking programmes and meetings with government agencies and other stakeholders. Officials of the Embassy of Japan also participated in several of the chamber’s activities.

The chamber also welcomed its new members during the AGM.

Following the AGM proceedings, ABM Azizur Rahman, Acting Chairman of the JBCCI Election Board, formally introduced the new Board of Directors elected on September 23 for the October 2026–September 2028 term.

The new board is headed by Kazuiki Kataoka as President, with Abu Zaman Md. Tariqul Islam and Syed Samiul Huq as Vice-Presidents. Rabiul Alam has been elected Secretary General, while Kenji Kimura will serve as Treasurer.

Oliver Kutz will serve as Joint Secretary General and Saumitra Kumar Mutsuddi as Joint Treasurer. Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), Hiroaki Oura, Kabir Ahmed, Atsushi Hirakuri, AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, Kenichiro Kawamoto, Farzanah Chowdhury, Hironori Yamanaka and Mudassir Murtaza Moin will serve as Directors.

Manabu Sugawara and Abdul Haque were also introduced as Advisors to the Board.

In his remarks, newly elected President Kazuiki Kataoka thanked the outgoing leadership and members for their contribution to JBCCI. He particularly recognised the important role of Bangladeshi member companies in expanding business engagement with Japanese companies.

Kataoka outlined two key priorities for his tenure. He said JBCCI would seek to highlight Japan’s longstanding contribution to Bangladesh through trade, investment, infrastructure development and business activities.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of making better use of the knowledge and expertise available among JBCCI’s nearly 400 member companies through seminars, knowledge-sharing programmes, networking and other member-driven initiatives.

He pledged to enhance the value, visibility and activities of JBCCI while maintaining the professional standards expected of a leading bilateral chamber.

Newly elected Secretary General Rabiul Alam also delivered a brief address, expressing his commitment to taking initiatives that would make JBCCI a more vibrant and effective platform for Bangladesh-Japan business relations.

Chief Guest H.E. Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, congratulated the incoming leadership and expressed appreciation for the outgoing President, Secretary General and board members for their dedicated service.

Reflecting on JBCCI’s growth from just over 20 members to nearly 400, Ambassador Saida stressed the importance of strong governance, institutional relevance and delivering tangible results for members.

He welcomed Bangladesh’s economic progress and the growing policy focus on attracting foreign direct investment.

The Japanese envoy reaffirmed Japan’s longstanding commitment to Bangladesh as a trusted development and business partner.

Referring to the Economic Partnership Agreement signed in February, he noted that the agreement, supported by JBCCI, represents an important milestone in strengthening economic relations between the two countries.

The ambassador also expressed optimism that several Japanese investment initiatives currently in the pipeline would materialise in due course. He said high-level exchanges between Bangladesh and Japan could further strengthen their strategic and business partnership.

Ambassador Saida underscored the importance of diversifying Bangladesh’s industrial base and developing upstream industries. He also called for removing unnecessary regulatory barriers and red tape to create a more favourable environment for investment and business.

He emphasised the need to create employment opportunities for Bangladesh’s younger generation and stressed the importance of maintaining a transparent and sustainable relationship between business and politics for long-term economic development.

The ambassador assured JBCCI of the continued support of the Embassy of Japan and encouraged the chamber to further strengthen its role as a catalyst for expanding trade, investment and business cooperation between the two countries.

The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks by JBCCI Vice President Hiroaki Oura, who expressed appreciation to the outgoing leadership, board members and general members for their contributions.

He also wished the newly elected board success in carrying forward JBCCI’s ongoing initiatives and taking the chamber to greater heights.

The leadership transition comes at a time when Bangladesh and Japan are seeking to deepen economic engagement through increased trade, investment, infrastructure cooperation and private-sector partnerships. With its expanding membership and renewed leadership, JBCCI is expected to play an increasingly important role in translating these opportunities into stronger commercial ties between the two countries.