Bangladesh is seeking Japanese financial and infrastructure support to turn Matarbari into a regional industrial and trade hub, with the proposed deep-sea port expected to strengthen links with India’s north-eastern states and neighbouring countries ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s anticipated visit to Japan later this month.
Japanese diplomats envision an industrial value chain linking the Bay of Bengal with north-eastern India and South-east Asia through Bangladesh, potentially expanding the country’s role in regional trade, manufacturing and logistics.
“The Matarbari Port holds the potential to transform Bangladesh into a regional industrial hub,” a senior Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told the Indian newspaper The Hindu in written comments.
The port is expected to feature prominently in discussions during Tarique’s proposed four-day visit, for which the bilateral agenda is being finalised.
Bangladesh may seek Japanese financial support for projects during 2026-31, including the development of the Matarbari industrial, port and commercial hub.
As part of preparations, Tarique visited Matarbari in August and received a briefing on the project’s additional requirements.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry earlier said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had invited him to visit Japan. Neither government has officially announced the visit.
Once completed, Matarbari is expected to become Bangladesh’s only deep-sea port, potentially reducing the country’s dependence on foreign ports, including Singapore and Colombo, as well as ports in Malaysia, for handling large vessels.
Japan, which has been financing the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), sees the port as a key component of a wider regional connectivity network.
The proposed industrial value chain would link India’s seven north-eastern states with the Bay of Bengal and South-east Asian markets through Bangladesh, while improving connectivity with Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar.
Japanese officials have pointed to a regional development model linking Bangkok with Cambodia and Vietnam as an example Bangladesh could follow.
“A model to emulate is Bangkok, which led regional economic growth through its ports and the Southern Economic Corridor,” the Japanese official said, referring to a Japan-supported development corridor connecting Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam through infrastructure investment and economic planning.
Tokyo hopes a similar approach around Matarbari could promote cross-border trade, attract industrial investment and strengthen economic ties among Bangladesh and its neighbours.
The port project gained momentum during the tenure of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, when relations between Dhaka and New Delhi were relatively stable and regional connectivity initiatives advanced.
During that period, the Maitri Bridge was built over the Feni River to connect Bangladesh with India’s Tripura state, creating the prospect of improved access between north-eastern India and the Chattogram port region.
However, the bridge remains non-operational amid political uncertainties affecting Bangladesh-India relations, highlighting the diplomatic challenges facing regional connectivity plans.
Japanese officials remain optimistic about the longer-term prospects for cooperation between the two countries.
“Enhancing connectivity from Bangladesh to north-east India and neighbouring countries will further reinforce the utility of this port,” the official said.
The Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative is also part of the agenda being prepared for Rahman’s visit, according to The Hindu.
The initiative is expected to be central to discussions on Japan’s support for Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and wider economic cooperation.
For Bangladesh, the proposed partnership offers an opportunity to attract long-term financing, expand port capacity and strengthen its position as a regional logistics and manufacturing centre.
Realising that potential, however, will depend not only on completing the port and related infrastructure but also on effective cross-border connectivity and stable regional relations.