Bangladesh and Japan today jointly started a feasibility study for signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost bilateral trade.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi announced the launching of the feasibility study at a press conference at his office in Dhaka.

The minister also expressed his optimism that the FTA or the EPA between the two countries may be signed before 2026, the final year of Bangladesh's graduation from a least developed country to a developing country status.

Japanese Ambassador in Bangladesh ITO Naoki was also present at the event.