Bangladesh seeks expanded trade, investment with South Korea
During his meeting with Kwon, Kobir called for concrete measures to increase Korean imports of Bangladeshi goods and services and gradually reduce the bilateral trade imbalance.
Bangladesh has sought expanded trade, investment and development cooperation with South Korea as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir urged greater market access for Bangladeshi products and increased Korean investment in the country.
Kobir made the urge during separate meetings with South Korean Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiation Hyejin Kwon and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Vice-President Doh Young-Ah in Seoul today, said a press release of Foreign Ministry.
During his meeting with Kwon, Kobir called for concrete measures to increase Korean imports of Bangladeshi goods and services and gradually reduce the bilateral trade imbalance.
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He also sought streamlined food-safety inspection and quarantine procedures for Bangladeshi agricultural, fishery and food products to facilitate their entry into the Korean market.
Welcoming the successful conclusion of the Bangladesh-Republic of Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in August 2026, the state minister expressed hope that the agreement would enable Bangladesh to integrate more deeply into Korean and regional supply chains as the country transitions from least developed country (LDC) status.
He also expressed the hope that the CEPA would be formally signed during the proposed visit of the South Korean president to Bangladesh, following completion of the necessary domestic procedures.
Kobir sought Korea's support for Bangladesh's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and invited increased Korean investment in Bangladesh.
He encouraged Korean conglomerates as well as small and medium-sized enterprises to explore investment opportunities through joint investment promotion initiatives and government-to-government facilitation.
Kobir appreciated Korea's contribution to Bangladesh's economic transformation and industrial development and reiterated Dhaka's commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kwon welcomed the progress in bilateral economic relations and expressed Korea's interest in expanding trade, investment and industrial cooperation, including under the CEPA framework.
At his meeting with KOICA Vice-President Doh Young-Ah, Kobir sought greater Korean cooperation in water security, climate resilience, skills development, employment-oriented technical education and digital health.
He appreciated KOICA's longstanding contribution to Bangladesh's socio-economic development through grant assistance, capacity building, technical cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The state minister thanked KOICA for its US$39 million Saemaul Plus End Poverty Programme and expressed Bangladesh's interest in advancing the next phase of cooperation towards larger, integrated and transformative programmes.
He identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital public services as potential areas for expanded cooperation.
Kobir also requested early concurrence from the Korean side on financing for mass rapid transit (MRT) projects in Dhaka alongside the Asian Development Bank.
Doh welcomed Bangladesh's interest in expanding development cooperation and expressed readiness to explore new areas and programmes aligned with Bangladesh's development priorities and Korea's development cooperation experience.
The meetings reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to deepening their longstanding partnership in trade, investment, industrial cooperation, technology transfer and development cooperation for mutual benefit.
