Bangladesh seeks Japanese investment and tech in healthcare

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit urged increased Japanese investment and technological cooperation to enhance the country’s healthcare system toward universal coverage during a seminar in Tokyo. This call highlights opportunities for collaboration in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare workforce development, addressing Bangladesh’s growing healthcare demands and Japan’s need for trained caregivers amid its aging population.

Bangladesh has called for increased Japanese investment and technological collaboration to advance its healthcare system towards universal coverage and greater sustainability. The appeal was made by State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit during a healthcare business seminar held at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo on October 2.

The event, organised jointly by the Bangladesh Embassy, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), and the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro), featured a video message from Dr. Muhit outlining government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality across Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Daud Ali emphasized Japan’s long-standing role as a development partner, acknowledging Jica’s ongoing contributions to maternal and child health, immunization programs, community healthcare, health infrastructure, and workforce development. He highlighted the country’s growing demand for specialised medical services, modern hospital infrastructure, diagnostic capabilities, and trained healthcare professionals to serve its population of over 170 million.

Ambassador Daud also identified potential areas for Japanese investment, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, vaccine production, and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing. He expressed optimism that trained Bangladeshi healthcare workers could contribute to Japan’s healthcare sector, particularly amid its ageing population’s increasing need for nurses and caregivers.

At the seminar, Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division Shah Imam Ali Reza and Directorate General of Health Services head Professor Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas delivered presentations detailing the current status and future prospects of Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. Representatives from Japan, including Tetsuya Yamada, Director General of the South Asia Department, Deputy Director Hiroki Sasaki, and Jetro Senior Director for Global Strategy Yuji Ando, discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities.

Nao Nitta, Senior Executive Officer of Eugena Co Ltd, shared the company’s experiences conducting business in Bangladesh, which further underscored the potential for Japanese enterprises to engage with the country’s expanding healthcare market.

The seminar underscored the mutual interest of Bangladesh and Japan in strengthening ties within the healthcare sector to foster innovation, capacity building, and investment that could contribute to achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.