JBCCI Holds 21st AGM, Unveils New Board for 2026–2028

Photo: CNI

Staff Correspondent: The Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) held its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at Hotel Lakeshore in Dhaka, bringing together around 240 general members, board members and distinguished guests from different organizations.
The AGM reviewed the Chamber’s major activities and achievements during November 2025 to September 2026 and formally introduced the newly elected Board of Directors for the October 2026–September 2028 term.

In his welcome remarks, JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) highlighted the Chamber’s recent initiatives and its role in further strengthening bilateral trade and business relations between Japan and Bangladesh.

JBCCI Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA presented the Chamber’s major activities during the reporting period, highlighting various initiatives aimed at promoting bilateral relations and facilitating its members. She said the number of JBCCI member companies had increased to 391 from 369 the previous year, reflecting growing business engagement between the two countries.
Joint Treasurer Md. Jahangir Alam Sharker CPA presented the audited annual financial report and highlighted the Chamber’s sustainable financial growth. He said JBCCI’s financial management remained focused on transparency, accountability and prudent stewardship.

During the AGM, members appreciated JBCCI’s initiatives, including seminars, business delegations to Japan, MoUs with various organizations, roundtable discussions, networking activities and meetings with government and other organizations on issues of importance to the business community. Officials of the Embassy of Japan also attended the event.

The AGM also welcomed the new members of JBCCI and formally introduced the new Board of Directors, elected on September 23, 2026. ABM Azizur Rahman, Acting Chairman of the Election Board of JBCCI, announced the newly elected leadership.

Kazuiki Kataoka has been elected President, while Abu Zaman Md. Tariqul Islam and Syed Samiul Huq have been elected Vice-Presidents. Rabiul Alam will serve as Secretary-General, Kenji Kimura as Treasurer, Oliver Kutz as Joint Secretary-General and Saumitra Kumar Mutsuddi as Joint Treasurer.

The new Board also includes Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), Hiroaki Oura, Kabir Ahmed, Atsushi Hirakuri, AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu, Kenichiro Kawamoto, Farzanah Chowdhury, Hironori Yamanaka and Mudassir Murtaza Moin as Directors. Manabu Sugawara and Abdul Haque have been elected as Advisors to the Board.

Speaking at the AGM, President-elect Kazuiki Kataoka expressed appreciation to the outgoing leadership and members for their contributions to JBCCI. He emphasized the important role of Bangladeshi member companies in strengthening business engagement with Japanese companies.
Kataoka identified two key priorities for his tenure: highlighting Japan’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh through trade, investment, infrastructure development and business activities, and making greater use of the knowledge and expertise within JBCCI’s nearly 400 member companies through seminars, knowledge-sharing sessions, networking and other member-driven initiatives.

He pledged to enhance JBCCI’s value, visibility and activities while maintaining the professional standards of one of Bangladesh’s leading bilateral chambers.

Chief Guest and Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, H.E. Saida Shinichi, congratulated the incoming leadership and expressed appreciation to the outgoing President and Board members for their dedicated service.

The Ambassador highlighted JBCCI’s growth from just over 20 members to nearly 400 and stressed the importance of strong governance, institutional relevance and tangible outcomes for members.
He also welcomed Bangladesh’s progress toward becoming a middle-income country and the growing policy focus on attracting foreign direct investment. Referring to the Economic Partnership Agreement signed in February with support from JBCCI, Ambassador Saida described it as an important milestone in strengthening Japan-Bangladesh economic relations.

He expressed optimism that several Japanese investment initiatives currently in the pipeline would materialize in due course, while high-level exchanges between the two countries could further strengthen their strategic and business partnership.

The Ambassador also emphasized industrial diversification, development of upstream industries, removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers and red tape, and creation of employment opportunities for the younger generation. He underscored the importance of a transparent and sustainable relationship between business and politics for long-term economic development.
Reaffirming the Embassy of Japan’s continued support for JBCCI, Ambassador Saida encouraged the Chamber to further strengthen its role as a catalyst for expanding trade, investment and business cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh.

The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by JBCCI Vice President Hiroaki Oura, who expressed gratitude to the outgoing leadership and members for their continued commitment and support, while wishing the newly elected Board success in carrying forward JBCCI’s progressive initiatives.