Japan–Bangladesh Business Women Conference: JBCCI hosts to Advance Women’s Leadership and Sustainable Economic Growth

Staff Reporter: Dhaka, 26 July 2026: The Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), with support of JETRO Dhaka and the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD), organized the Japan–Bangladesh Business Women Conference under the theme “Empowering Women in Business: Driving Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh through ‘Give to Gain’” at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Dhaka.

The conference brought together senior government representatives, diplomats, development partners, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, investors and professionals from Bangladesh and Japan to promote women’s economic empowerment, leadership, entrepreneurship and greater access to national and international markets.

H.E. Ms. Afroza Khanam (Rita), MP, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, graced the program as the Chief Guest. H.E. Mr. Saida Shinichi, Hon’ble Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, attended as the Special Guest, while Ms. Takahashi Junko, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, joined as the Guest of Honor.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), President of JBCCI, emphasized that women’s economic empowerment must be recognized as a central strategy for Bangladesh’s economic growth, competitiveness and long-term prosperity. says press release

“Women’s economic empowerment is not a side issue of development. It is one of the most powerful strategies for Bangladesh’s growth, competitiveness and prosperity,” the JBCCI President stated.

He stressed the importance of supporting women in moving from participation to ownership, from employment to executive leadership, from micro-enterprises to scalable businesses, and from local operations to international markets.

The conference’s “Give to Gain” framework highlighted that when financial institutions provide fair access to growth capital, corporations open procurement opportunities, business leaders provide mentorship, and organizations ensure access to leadership positions, the country gains stronger businesses, improved governance, increased employment and more inclusive economic development.

Mr. Yuji Wagata, President of JCIAD, delivered remarks as a Guest Speaker. Keynote presentations were delivered by Ms. Maria Howlader FCA, Secretary General of JBCCI, and Ms. Shiori Onishi, Co-CEO of Euglena GG Ltd.

The programme also featured the successful entrepreneurial journey of Ms. TawhidaShiropa, Founder of Moner Bondhuas well as remarks by Mr. Mitsuru Izumo, Founder and President of Euglena Co., Ltd. and Chairman of Euglena GG Ltd.

A high-level panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Maria Howlader FCA, examined the structural, financial, professional and social barriers affecting women’s participation in business and leadership. Ms. Akhter Sanjida Kasem FCA, FCMA, CFE, Managing Partner, A. Qasem & Co.; Mr. Kazuiki Kataoka, Country Representative, JETRO Dhaka and Joint Secretary General, JBCCI; Ms. Yuri Miyagawa, General Manager, Machinery Department, Marubeni Corporation; Mr. Syed Mohammed Tanvir, Managing Director, Pacific Jeans Ltd.; and Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen, Chairman, National Bank PLC and Professor, Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.

The discussion focused on women’s access to finance, professional skills, technology, corporate procurement, formal business networks, safe workplaces, executive management and board-level opportunities. The speakers also emphasized the importance of assisting women-led businesses in becoming investment-ready, export-ready and capable of joining Japanese and global supply chains.

The conference presented several recommendations for strengthening women’s economic participation, including:

Developing a National Women’s Economic Empowerment Roadmap to 2030 with measurable targets; Establishing credit-guarantee and growth-finance facilities for women-led businesses; Introducing procurement opportunities and verified supplier registries for women-owned enterprises; Promoting safe, respectful and family-supportive workplace standards; Increasing women’s representation in executive management and corporate boards; Expanding technical, digital and industry-specific skills development; Improving gender-disaggregated data and institutional accountability; and Establishing a Bangladesh–Japan Women Entrepreneurs Accelerator with the involvement of JBCCI, JICA, JETRO, financial institutions and Japanese companies.

JBCCI also proposed developing a continuing Japan–Bangladesh Women in Business Platform to maintain a verified network of women entrepreneurs, executives and board-ready professionals. The platform would facilitate mentoring, business matchmaking, procurement connections, capacity building, technology adoption, export-readiness training and access to Japanese corporate networks.

The event included a special posthumous tribute to Late Ms. Kazuko Bhuiyan Sensei on the tenth anniversary of her passing, recognizing her lifelong contribution to friendship, cultural understanding and enduring people-to-people relations between Bangladesh and Japan.

Tokens of appreciation were presented to distinguished guests, speakers, panelists and supporting organizations. Mr. Hiroaki Oura, Vice President of JBCCI, delivered the closing remarks, reaffirming JBCCI’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth and stronger Bangladesh–Japan business cooperation.

The conference concluded with a call for measurable institutional commitments to increase women-owned businesses in corporate supply chains, expand access to finance, strengthen women’s participation in senior management and boards, and connect more women-led enterprises with Japanese and international markets.