The executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, met with South Korean trade minister Yeo Han-koo in Seoul to discuss the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) finalization roadmap, marking a significant step towards deepening bilateral economic ties.
Ahead of Bangladesh’s transition from LDC classification, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the CEPA talks, seeing it as a timely chance to open up new avenues for Korean investment into Bangladesh’s rapidly changing economy.
The two leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on enhancing trade, investment, and institutional linkages between the two nations, said a press release here today.
“South Korea has long been a trusted partner of Bangladesh,” said Chowdhury. “We are keen to accelerate CEPA finalization, which we believe will be a catalytic tool to unlock diversified Korean investment in key sectors such as electronics, mobility, renewable energy, textiles, and infrastructure.”
Minister Yeo was also reassured by Chowdhury that BIDA is aggressively resolving investment issues. “During our visit, we engaged with Korean businesses on key enablers and structural bottlenecks,” he stated.He continued by stating, “Many of the issues raised – particularly those related to customs, remittance, and taxation are already being tackled through our 32- Point Investment Climate Reform Agenda, developed in close collaboration with the Chief Adviser’s Office.”
The South Korean Trade Minister, a fervent admirer of Bangladesh’s economic trajectory and a former World Bank official who visited the nation multiple times, praised the advancements.
He reaffirmed Korea’s interest in partnering with Bangladesh as it transitions into a modern manufacturing and services hub.
The BIDA delegation extended a formal invitation to Minister Yeo to visit Bangladesh with a Korean business delegation to witness first-hand the significant progress made in infrastructure, digital services, and regulatory reforms.
South Korea is now the fifth-largest foreign investor in Bangladesh, with US$1.56 billion in FDI stock spread across more than 150 enterprises.
According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025, South Korea also placed among the top 10 FDI source economies globally, with US$49 billion in outbound FDI in 2024.
This puts South Korea on par with major investment powers like China, Japan, and the United States.
Over 150 South Korean investors attended a seminar held in Seoul by the Bangladeshi delegation, which is in South Korea from October 20–25 under the leadership of Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun. They also had a number of business-to-business meetings with Korean corporations.The tour has received technical assistance from IFC Bangladesh.
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