Bangladesh seeks deeper investment, tech ties with South Korea
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has underscored the strategic need to deepen ties with South Korea across trade, investment, industry, technology, and development cooperation. Speaking during separate high-level diplomatic meetings in Seoul on Thursday with South Korea’s Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations, Hiejin Koan, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Vice President Doh Young-ah, the Minister emphasized expanding long-standing bilateral relations. The discussions were officially confirmed by Foreign Ministry Public Relations Officer Mahmodul Hasan, highlighting Bangladesh’s proactive foreign policy engagement ahead of its upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
During his bilateral session with Trade Negotiator Hiejin Koan, State Minister Kabir commended Seoul’s pivotal contributions to Bangladesh’s industrialization and economic transformation. Welcoming the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in August, Mr. Kabir noted that the framework will allow Bangladesh to integrate deeply into Korean supply chains. He expressed hope that the CEPA will be formally signed during the proposed visit of the South Korean President to Bangladesh, while urging Korean authorities to ease non-tariff barriers, streamline food safety and quarantine inspections, and support Dhaka’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to reduce the bilateral trade deficit.
In response, South Korea’s Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations, Hiejin Koan, welcomed the economic progress and reiterated Seoul’s strong commitment to expanding trade and investment. ‘South Korea remains keen on expanding trade, investment, and industrial collaboration under the CEPA framework,’ Mr. Koan stated, highlighting joint government-to-government (G2G) initiatives and encouraging investments from Korean conglomerates and SMEs. Mr. Kabir further requested targeted measures from South Korea to import more Bangladeshi products and services, laying down a structured roadmap for mutually beneficial economic integration and balanced trade between the two Asian partners.
In a separate engagement with KOICA Vice President Doh Young-ah, State Minister Kabir expressed gratitude for KOICA’s grant aid, capacity building, and technical support, including the $39 million ‘Saemaul Plus and Poverty’ program. He urged KOICA to partner in transformative sectors like artificial intelligence, digital health, and climate resilience, while seeking swift co-financing approval for Dhaka’s MRT project alongside the ADB. Affirming Seoul’s commitment, KOICA Vice President Doh Young-ah noted, ‘KOICA is ready to collaborate on new initiatives that align Bangladesh’s development priorities with South Korea’s technical expertise,’ reaffirming both nations’ dedication to advancing high-impact development initiatives.
