Bangladesh and Japan are likely to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) within the next two months, with the final round of negotiations concluding in Tokyo.

A Bangladeshi delegation is currently in Tokyo to finalise the deal, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star. Rahman, who had to cancel his trip due to illness, attended the discussions virtually.

“Both countries are expected to sign the EPA within one to two months,” he said.

Dhaka launched negotiations in March 2023 to secure preferential trade facilities from Japan after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category in November 2026. Seven rounds of talks—three in Dhaka and four in Tokyo—have covered trade, investment, exports, and imports.

Bangladesh previously signed a preferential trade agreement with Bhutan in 2020, but has yet to conclude a free trade or economic partnership deal with any nation.

Japan is one of Bangladesh’s most important export destinations. It was the first Asian country where Bangladeshi exports crossed the $1 billion mark more than a decade ago, supported by duty-free and quota-free access under LDC provisions. Garments, leather goods, and footwear continue to be the key exports to the Japanese market.

The EPA is expected to secure Bangladesh’s market access in Japan and enhance trade and investment opportunities once the country graduates from LDC status.