Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his government is working to ensure a stable, competitive and investment-friendly environment for both domestic and foreign investors.
He made the remarks when a high-level delegation of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, led by its Vice Chairman Ichiro Kashitani paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Secretariat, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
During the meeting, the Toyota Tsusho delegation informed the Prime Minister about its plan to establish a Toyota automobile manufacturing plant in Bangladesh.
The delegation said the initiative would create employment, promote industrialisation, facilitate technology transfer and help develop skilled human resources in the country.
They also discussed the expansion of Toyota's operations in Bangladesh, potential areas of investment and its long-term business plans.
Welcoming Toyota's interest in expanding its investment and operations in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government is committed to ensuring necessary policy support, infrastructure and other facilities for foreign investors.
He also highlighted the potential of waste-to-energy generation and renewable energy in Bangladesh, saying the government would extend necessary cooperation and support if Toyota Tsusho Corporation shows interest in investing in these sectors.
The Toyota side informed the Prime Minister that plans are underway to expand Toyota Bangladesh's distribution network to all divisional levels of the country to make its services and operations more accessible across different regions.
They also said Toyota Bangladesh would begin work in 2027 to establish a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manufacturing industry in an economic zone in Bangladesh under the vision of "With Bangladesh, For Bangladesh", with full-scale production expected to begin by 2029.
Toyota Bangladesh also expressed interest in contributing to human resource development in Bangladesh, particularly by creating technical and vocational training opportunities for young people, enhancing skills and developing a workforce equipped for future industries.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad and Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Dr. Md Shakirul Islam Khan, among others, were present.
On the Toyota side, Toyota Tsusho Corporation Mobility Division CEO Shigeru Harada, Toyota Bangladesh Limited President Premmit Singh and other senior officials attended the meeting.