This is high time to work together with Japan: Palak

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak stated that it is high time to work together with Japan on expanding business activities.

He made the remark while attending as the chief guest at a programme titled "BASIS Japan Day 2022," organised by the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), at a city hotel in the capital on November 20, according to a press release.

BASIS president Russell T Ahmed presided over the programme and AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, Director of BASIS and Chairman of BASIS Japan Desk delivered welcome speech on the occasion.

The State Minister said, “Now is the right time for Bangladesh to work together with Japan. Prime Minister always suggested that government should create business friendly environment and private sector should do business. This is one of the strategies of the current government that we follow. That is, the government will bring a business-friendly environment and the private sector will do business which is the current government's strategy."

He further said, "I hope that the market-scoping guidance of the BASIS Japan Desk will help Japanese firms to expand their operations in Bangladesh, open up new markets, increase investment and also encourage expatriate Bangladeshis living in Japan to invest in Bangladesh."

Speaking as a special guest on the occasion, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Md Masud Bin Momen said, "Japan's cooperation has always been positive in the overall development of Bangladesh. Japan is one of Bangladesh's main friends in terms of economic and diplomatic relations. Since the independence of Bangladesh, Japan has consistently participated in the development process of Bangladesh."

At the programme, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh ITO Naoki, said, “Bangladesh is an important place for Japanese investment. Bangladesh has advanced a lot in terms of information technology. Therefore, the IT sector of Bangladesh is a significant potential sector for investment. Government of Bangladesh has taken various programs giving great importance to the information technology sector of the country. So there is a lot of opportunity for Bangladesh and Japan to work together in the information technology sector.” He believes that such events like ‘BASIS Japan Day’ will play a significant role in the related development field of trade investment and networking. He praised the activities of the BASIS Japan Desk and encouraged more activities.

BASIS President Russell T Ahmed said, “Bangladesh and Japan have very good and close relations. BASIS has always been working with the aim of developing deep relations between Bangladesh and Japan by bridging business friendship in the field of technology of the two countries. BASIS will work to further develop the private sector and unlock new business opportunities for Bangladesh to improve the overall business environment, economic activity and attract more foreign investment in the future.”