During a high-level meeting between Japan and Bangladesh held in Dhaka led by Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama their respective delegations has decided to further relax the rules of origin for Bangladeshi knitwear products in its market. The government representatives of both countries expressed their support for the plan.

Md. Shahidul Haque said that Japan in principle has agreed to relax the rules of origin for Bangladesh. The modalities on it will be worked out now. This is a big announcement for Bangladesh.

Tokyo reaffirms its commitment to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh based on the 'comprehensive partnership' agreed upon between the two prime ministers last year, Sugiyama said.

At the meeting, Bangladesh also proposed that a joint working group to be formed to further enhance agricultural cooperation between the two countries. The Japanese side agreed to look into it and requested for concept paper.

Japan is currently the largest development partner of Bangladesh, and the relations between two countries have reached a new height following the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Tokyo last year.