Diplomatic Desk:
Sheikh Rabiul Alam MP, Bangladesh’s Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, has called for strengthening international cooperation to develop sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure. He stated that infrastructure development serves as a fundamental pillar for economic growth, regional connectivity, social progress, and the improvement of people’s living standards.
He made these remarks while participating in the inaugural session of the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026, held on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
This three-day conference is organized by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and managed by the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK). The theme of this year’s conference is “Cooperation on Global Infrastructure Projects Opened by AI.” Ministers, senior government officials, infrastructure-related agencies, multilateral development institutions, project implementers, and representatives from leading construction and engineering firms from around the world are participating in the event.
During the inaugural session, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam emphasized the importance of building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure through international cooperation, innovation, and the optimal use of technology. He noted that infrastructure development requires not only financing but also the integration of modern technology, knowledge, and technical expertise. In this regard, he stressed the urgency of strengthening mutual cooperation among nations through the exchange of experiences and technology.
The Minister further stated that under the visionary leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, Bangladesh is committed to establishing an integrated, efficient, low-carbon, and climate-resilient transport system. To achieve this goal, initiatives are being undertaken to implement vital and transformative infrastructure projects through international partnerships and financing. He stated that Bangladesh is keen to deepen cooperation in the infrastructure sector with South Korea and other international partners through Government-to-Government (G2G) collaboration, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), concessional financing, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Simultaneously, Bangladesh aims to harness new opportunities for infrastructure development by facilitating technology transfer, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and skills development. Bangladesh’s participation in GICC 2026 reflects its commitment to strengthening international partnerships for sustainable infrastructure development and expanding areas of cooperation with development partners, including South Korea.
It is expected that the Minister’s participation in the conference will further strengthen the existing cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea in the infrastructure sector. At the same time, it will create new opportunities for investment, technology transfer, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and the implementation of joint projects between the two nations.
