Steps should be taken to sign FTA with Japan: Tipu

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday said that steps should be taken for signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Japan as it is a friendly country of Bangladesh and also a development partner.

“We are positive for signing the FTA with Japan,” he said while addressing a seminar titled “The survey on FTA/EPA between Japan and Bangladesh” organized by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) held at a city hotel.

Bangladesh has been trying to sign FTAs, Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with some major trading partners, but so far only a PTA was signed with Bhutan in December last year.

Recently, the sub-committee on smooth LDC graduation recommended for signing trade agreements with seven important trading partners like China, India, Japan, Russia, but only China and India have expressed interest to sign the trade agreements with Bangladesh, the minister said.

“We need investment from Japan,” Tipu said adding that his government wants signing of FTAs and PTAs with the major trading partners.