The Korean Ambassador to Dhaka gave a special message in the ‘Special January, 2026 Edition’ of the “Business in Bangladesh Newsletter” on the occasion of the English New Year
Korea and Bangladesh established diplomatic ties on December 18, 1973. Over the last 5 decades, our two countries have witnessed a remarkable journey of cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Korean companies have been a long-standing partner of Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the RMG industry. In recent years, we have witnessed remarkable developments in diversifying areas of cooperation beyond the RMG, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure. Korean firms are interested in exploring further investment opportunities. Bangladesh continues to be a promising destination for South Korean investors, with its rapidly growing economy, strategic location, and abundant labor force.In order to fully realize Bangladesh’s potential as an investment destination, it is important to further improve the business environment.
Bilateral trade has not increased since its peak of around US$ 3 billion in 2023mainly due to the limited range of export items that Bangladesh currently ships to Korea.Both countries can accelerate bilateral trade through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is now under negotiation. This CEPA is expected to reduce trade barriers, expand market access, and remove obstacles to foreign investment, thereby creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries and further strengthening our economic ties. I sincerely hope that the CEPA negotiations between Korea and Bangladesh will be finalized in the near future.
Looking to the future, Bangladesh is marching towards graduation from LDC status in 2026. This means Bangladesh should focus not only on quantitative growth but also on the quality of that growth. Such quality must be driven by innovation, knowledge, and technology, areas in which foreign companies can make substantial contributions and where Bangladesh has strong potential for further development. Korea and Korean companies are ready to accompany Bangladesh on this path.
Korea does not pursue strategic interests beyond our economic cooperation. Over the last fifty years, collaboration in the RMG sector has been a driving force behind our bilateral relations. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is now under negotiation, could serve as the next engine to take our partnership to new height in the next fifty years
