A special meeting of the Council of Advisers was held today at the Chief Advisers' Office (CAO) in Tejgaon, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Photo: PIDPhoto: PID

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today described the recently signed Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as a historic and epoch-making deal for Bangladesh. 

He made the remarks while presiding over a special meeting of the Council of Advisers at his Tejgaon office here this morning. 

Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon to share the outcomes of the meeting.

He said alongside the scheduled agenda, the advisory council discussed the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), under which around 7,400 Bangladeshi products will receive duty-free access to the Japanese market, and Japanese companies will be able to set up factories in Bangladesh. 

The Council thanked Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi and commerce secretary for leading and supporting the agreement. 

The Council of Advisers noted that the Bangladesh-Japan EPA will simplify the process to sign agreements with the European Union, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates in the future.

Shafiqul Alam said that at a time when global trade is increasingly marked by protectionism and rising barriers, preferential trade agreements such as EPAs and FTAs are crucial. 

These agreements ensure preferential market access, including zero or minimal tariffs, which are essential for Bangladesh’s job creation, economic prosperity and sustained growth, he added. 

The press secretary hoped that the Japan–Bangladesh EPA, signed on February 6, would help ensure Bangladesh’s prosperity and long-term economic growth.

During the meeting, Shafiqul Alam said that Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul presented a compiled book of all ordinances issued over the past 18 months to the Chief Adviser and other advisers.