Bangladesh and Japan to Strengthen Regional Connectivity Around Matarbari Deep-Sea Port in the Bay of Bengal

Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to strengthen regional connectivity by developing the Matarbari-Maheshkhali area into a major centre for logistics, energy, industry and trade, with the Matarbari deep-sea port serving as a key part of the plan. The agreement was highlighted in a joint statement issued after talks between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Tokyo on October 27, 2026. Rahman was on an official visit to Japan from October 26 to 29.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding regional connectivity to support sustained economic growth. The Matarbari deep-sea port, located along the Bay of Bengal and being developed with Japanese economic and technical assistance, is expected to play an important role in improving trade links and strengthening regional supply chains.

The two countries also agreed to expand their flagship bilateral initiative, previously known as BIG-B, into “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity.” The initiative aims to bring together investments in power, energy, port facilities, industrial development and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

The expanded partnership is designed to establish a major industrial value-chain network, improve trade and supply-chain connections, and create new opportunities for economic growth. It will also focus on strengthening resilience against natural disasters, geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to international supply chains. The leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining an international order based on openness, stability and the rule of law. They also discussed Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative as a framework for promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.

During the summit, the two sides discussed potential investments worth 1 trillion Japanese yen (approximately US$6.3 billion) in Bangladesh's energy, infrastructure and ICT sectors. According to a statement from the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office, the discussions also included plans to send a Japanese team to Bangladesh promptly to advance implementation. The agreement marks a significant step in Bangladesh-Japan economic cooperation, with the Matarbari-Maheshkhali development corridor expected to serve as a strategic gateway for trade, industrial investment and regional connectivity across the Bay of Bengal.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.