Seoul:Bangladesh is seeking to expand trade, investment, and development cooperation with South Korea. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has called for greater market access for Bangladeshi products and increased Korean investment in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Kobir made these appeals 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. He urged for concrete measures to enhance Korean imports of Bangladeshi goods and services and to reduce the bilateral trade imbalance.
Kobir requested streamlined food-safety inspection and quarantine procedures for Bangladeshi agricultural, fishery, and food products to ease their entry into the Korean market. He also welcomed the completion of the Bangladesh-Republic of Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in August 2026, expressing hope that it will facilitate deeper integration into Korean and regional supply chains as Bangladesh transitions from least developed country status.
The state minister hoped for the formal signing of the CEPA during a proposed visit by the South Korean president to Bangladesh, after the necessary domestic procedures are completed. He further sought Korea's support for Bangladesh's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and invited increased Korean investment in Bangladesh, encouraging both large conglomerates and small and medium-sized enterprises to explore opportunities.
Kobir praised Korea's role in Bangladesh's economic transformation and industrial development, reiterating Dhaka's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Deputy Minister Kwon acknowledged the progress in economic relations and expressed Korea's interest in expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation within the CEPA framework.
In his meeting with KOICA Vice-President Doh Young-Ah, Kobir sought greater Korean cooperation in areas such as water security, climate resilience, skills development, and digital health. He appreciated KOICA's contributions to Bangladesh's socio-economic development, particularly through its $39 million Saemaul Plus End Poverty Programme, and expressed interest in advancing larger, integrated programmes.
Kobir highlighted digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and digital public services as potential areas for expanded cooperation and requested early Korean agreement on financing mass rapid transit projects in Dhaka alongside the Asian Development Bank. Doh welcomed Bangladesh's interest in expanding development cooperation and expressed readiness to explore new programmes aligned with Bangladesh's development priorities and Korea's experience.
The meetings confirmed both countries' commitment to deepening their partnership in trade, investment, industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and development cooperation for mutual benefit.