Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched a dedicated Japan Desk to strengthen connections between Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers and Japanese buyers and expand Bangladesh’s presence in the Japanese market.
The desk was officially inaugurated on 23 September 2026 at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, under the theme “Connection, Collaboration and Prosperity.” Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi attended the inauguration as chief guest, while BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and senior representatives of Japanese business organisations and companies were present.
According to BGMEA, around 100 Bangladeshi garment factories have already been selected to work with Japanese buyers. The initiative is designed to provide a dedicated platform for buyer-supplier matchmaking, market information, business facilitation and resolution of issues between Japanese companies and Bangladeshi manufacturers.
Japan represents a significant market opportunity for Bangladesh. BGMEA has previously estimated Japan’s textile and apparel import market at around US$24 billion, while Bangladesh’s apparel exports to Japan were around US$1.4 billion. The association has identified further expansion of apparel exports to Japan as part of its broader market-diversification strategy.
Focus on smaller and flexible orders
A key objective of the Japan Desk is to connect Japanese buyers—including those looking for small and flexible orders—with suitable Bangladeshi factories.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the initiative would help match Japanese buyers with factories according to their required order volumes, emphasising that smaller orders can also lead to long-term business relationships.
The desk will also coordinate with Japanese and Bangladesh-Japan business organisations, including JETRO, JICA, the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) and JCIAD. Its planned functions include market research, buyer identification, business matchmaking and support in addressing grievances or disputes.
Representatives from major Japanese companies and organisations, including Toyota Tsusho, Teijin Frontier, Marubeni, ITOCHU Corporation, the Embassy of Japan and JETRO Dhaka, attended the inauguration programme.
BGMEA Director Mohammed Sohel, who has been associated with the Japan market initiative, said the association has set a target of increasing Bangladesh’s apparel exports to Japan to US$3 billion by 2030.
The launch of the Japan Desk comes as Bangladesh seeks to diversify its apparel export destinations and develop stronger relationships with Japanese buyers, particularly in higher-value and more specialised segments. The initiative also follows BGMEA’s efforts to strengthen institutional cooperation with Japanese organisations and facilitate greater trade and investment between the two countries.
