The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has officially inaugurated a Japan Desk at the BGMEA building in Uttara, Dhaka, aiming to connect Bangladeshi garment manufacturers with Japanese buyers and boost Bangladesh's share of Japan's apparel import market. The desk was established under the theme "Connect, Collaborate, Prosper," with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi attending the unveiling ceremony as chief guest.

Key Points

  • BGMEA estimates Japan's textile and apparel import market at approximately $24 billion, while Bangladesh's apparel exports to Japan stand at only about $1.4 billion
  • About 100 Bangladeshi garment factories have been selected to connect with Japanese buyers
  • BGMEA director Mohammed Sohel stated the goal is to increase apparel exports to Japan to $3 billion by 2030

The desk's services include buyer-supplier matching, market information provision, business assistance, and coordination in resolving disputes between Japanese companies and Bangladeshi manufacturers. BGMEA said its functions will also involve collaboration with several Japanese and Japan-Bangladesh business organizations, including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhaka (JCIAD). Planned activities cover market research, buyer identification, business matchmaking, and grievance and dispute handling.

Representatives from Toyota Tsusho, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni, Itochu Corporation, the Japanese Embassy, and the JETRO Dhaka office also attended the unveiling event. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the desk will match factories to Japanese buyers based on the order sizes they require, and that smaller orders could develop into long-term partnerships. This arrangement partly targets Japanese buyers seeking smaller, more flexible order volumes.

BGMEA had previously incorporated expanding exports to Japan into its export market diversification strategy. The establishment of the Japan Desk is the association's latest initiative, building on its ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with Japanese institutions and promote bilateral trade and investment.

Source: BGMEA opens Japan Desk to boost Bangladesh's apparel exports · Originally published on 2026-09-28