A four-member delegation of Canon officials from Singapore came on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. Mr. Toshiyuki Ishii, President & CEO of Canon Singapore and & COO of Canon Asia led the delegation. He was accompanied by three senior officials from Canon Singapore Pte., Ltd. - Mr. Andrew Koh Chee Yan, Senior Vice President, Mr. Norihiro Katagiri, Senior Vice President and Mr. Takashi Ichinomiya, Director. Exploring new growth opportunities in Bangladesh ICT sector and further strengthening the longstanding collaboration between Canon and J.A.N Associates — a trusted partnership that has proudly stood strong over 30 years, were the main agendas of this visit. 

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the delegation members arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where they were graciously received by Mr. Abdullah H. Kafi, Managing Director of J.A.N Associates, Lifetime Honorary Chairman of the Asian-Oceania Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), and Advisor to all major ICT associations in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), the Bangladesh Association of Call Center & Outsourcing (BACCO), and the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB).

During their visit, the delegation engaged in discussions with Canon product users, dealers, and resellers, with Mr. Kafi accompanying them throughout the entire program.

The delegation visited J.A.N Associates headoffice where they engaged in a series of meetings with company executives and sales personnel. They also toured the organization’s product showrooms where they met with J.A.N Associates’ dedicated team and observed their operations firsthand. Mr. Ishii and other delegation members commended Mr. Kafi for his visionary leadership and expressed their appreciation for the professionalism and excellence demonstrated by J.A.N Associates.

Later that day, the delegation visited the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, where they toured the camera market and expressed their delight at witnessing the enthusiasm and engagement of Bangladeshi technology users.

On the following day, May 8, 2025, the delegation visited the head office of Sonali Bank PLC, one of Canon’s esteemed corporate clients. During the visit, the delegation held a meeting with the bank’s Managing Director, Head of the IT Department, and other senior officials. The discussion proved to be highly insightful, with Sonali Bank representatives speaking in strong commendation of the quality and reliability of Canon products. They also expressed their appreciation for the round-the-clock service and support provided by J.A.N Associates.

This was followed by a series of meeting with high officials, media partners, engaged with dealers and connected with loyal Canon users.  The day concluded with a vibrant Get-Together followed by Dinner at The Sheraton hotel, Banani, Dhaka hosted by J.A.N Associates to celebrate shared journey with Canon and future aspirations with our colleagues, partners, and clients. 

Mr. Abdullah H. Kafi remarked, “Bangladesh has a youthful population of approximately 45 million individuals aged between 15 and 29, representing 28% of the total population. This demographic is energetic, technologically adept, and highly enthusiastic about exploring new products and innovations. J.A.N Associates has been remarkably successful in engaging these young tech-savvy individuals. Our dedicated office staff, sales personnel, and service teams are actively interacting with them, understanding their needs, and working to fulfill their expectations. Moreover, our network of dealers and resellers shares our vision and continues to support our initiatives with great commitment. As a result of this collective effort, Canon has emerged as one of the leading electronic brands in Bangladesh. The demand for Canon’s Image Communication Products and Business Imaging Solution Products continues to grow steadily each day.”

Mr. Kafi also conveyed his sincere appreciation for the ongoing support extended by the media. He stated, “Members of the media have been consistently instrumental in raising public awareness by disseminating information about the latest and emerging technologies. Their efforts have played a significant role in promoting Canon products across the country.”

Mr. Toshiyuki Ishii, President & CEO of Canon Singapore and COO of Canon Asia, highly praised J.A.N Associates along with its network of dealers and resellers. He stated, “The Bangladeshi economy is growing steadily. Thanks to the pro-ICT government and its ICT-friendly policies and initiatives, the country’s ICT sector is now expanding rapidly, emerging as a key driver of national development. Over the years, many young individuals have joined the ICT sector, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. My colleagues and I visited all the major IT markets in Dhaka and observed a strong presence of young people. They expressed great satisfaction with the quality and service of Canon products.

In 1996, Canon launched the 'Excellent Global Corporation Plan' with the vision of becoming a truly outstanding company. In 2021, we commenced Phase VI of this initiative, under which we aim to strengthen our business through aggressive expansion into existing markets. I am very hopeful that, under Mr. Kafi’s leadership, Canon will continue to be the brand of choice for the people of Bangladesh in the years ahead.”

Mr. Toshiyuki Ishii, President & CEO of Canon Singapore, and Mr. Abdullah H. Kafi, CEO of J.A.N Associates, jointly extended their sincere gratitude to all corporate clients, dealers, media partners, and end-users for their continued trust and support of Canon products.

On May 9, all the esteemed Canon guests safely returned to their respective destinations, carrying with them the warm spirit of Bangladeshi hospitality and a shared vision for future success.

Throughout the visit, Mr. Kafi and his team played a pivotal role in organizing and facilitating key meetings—reinforcing the strength of our stakeholder network and our collective commitment to Canon's excellence and innovation.

Here’s to 30 years of trust, partnership, and innovation—and to many more milestones ahead!