Bangladesh has signed its first-ever Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan today, marking a landmark step in its post-LDC economic journey. The agreement ensures immediate duty-free access for Bangladeshi export items  including ready-made garments (RMG) and nearly 7,379 other products  in the Japanese market, according to the Daily Observer.

In return, Japan will get duty-free access for 1,039 products in Bangladesh. Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin led the delegation for the signing ceremony aimed at preserving trade privileges after Bangladesh’s LDC graduation later this year.

The deal, approved on January 22, allows 97% of Bangladeshi exports duty-free entry to Japan, though automobiles remain excluded. Officials said the EPA also covers services, investment, and intellectual property, and is expected to attract Japanese capital to local industrial zones.

Japan is already Bangladesh’s top Asian export market, with trade worth around $2 billion annually. The agreement marks Bangladesh’s first full-fledged trade deal, following a Preferential Trade Agreement with Bhutan in 2020.

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