South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman on Monday. The meeting was held at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat.
At the start of meeting, Yeo Han-Koo apprised the prime minister of upcoming Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and South Korea.
He said once the agreement is effective, bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two nations will expand further, significantly increasing South Korean investment in Bangladesh.
He added that many South Korean companies are already operating successfully in Bangladesh and expressed that many more are keen to invest in the future.
Tarique urged South Korean companies to invest in several key sectors, including toys, electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, semiconductors, and shipbuilding.
Highlighting South Korea’s expertise in shipbuilding industry and Bangladesh’s promising manpower, he said South Korea could establish training centres in Bangladesh.
These centres would provide technical and language training to Bangladeshi workers, enabling them to be employed in South Korea’s shipbuilding industry.
Tarique added that the Bangladesh government would take all necessary measures if South Korean companies choose to invest in domestic shipbuilding sector.
During the meeting, he also extended an invitation to the South Korean President to visit Bangladesh.
Tarique briefed Yeo Han-Koo on various steps taken by the government to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country.
Plans to organise a seminar in Bangladesh specifically for South Korean companies were also discussed. Minister Yeo Han-Koo said these proposals would further strengthen the future relationship between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Affairs Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, and Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury, among others.
