H. E. Park Young-sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka on Tuesday (14 July, 2025).
The meeting focused on exploring avenues to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and South Korea. Both sides discussed potential areas of collaboration, with particular emphasis on the textile and garment sectors.
BGMEA Vice President Md. Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, Director Faisal Samad, and Member Israfil Atique were present during the meeting. The Ambassador was accompanied by Kim Jeong ki, Consul at the Korean Embassy in Dhaka, and Noh Chy Woo, Country Head, Spandex Performance Unit and Spandex Plant, Hyosung TNC Corporation (Bangladesh Liaison Office).
During the meeting, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted Bangladesh’s growing potential as a destination for South Korean exports of man-made fibers, textile machinery, chemical dyes, and other raw materials. He also noted that South Korea represents a promising market for Bangladeshi apparel exports, offering significant opportunities for mutually beneficial trade.
President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed appreciation for South Korea’s historical support in the development of Bangladesh’s garment industry—particularly in the areas of technical assistance and workforce training during the industry’s formative years. He sought the Ambassador’s support in expanding Bangladesh’s apparel exports to South Korea and attracting Korean investment in non-textile sectors within Bangladesh.
The BGMEA leadership also emphasized the need for enhanced market intelligence sharing and stronger business-to-business connectivity between Korean and Bangladeshi enterprises to deepen economic cooperation.
Ambassador Park Young-sik underscored the importance of further aligning Bangladesh’s Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Act 2019 with the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 to create a more conducive environment for foreign investors. He also highlighted the need to improve labor productivity and the operational efficiency of the Chattogram port, key to facilitating smoother trade operations.
Both parties expressed optimism that the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and South Korea would significantly benefit both countries by fostering deeper economic integration.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan thanked the South Korean government for its continued support and expressed confidence that bilateral relations will continue to strengthen in the coming years.
