Seoul:A Bangladesh delegation, led by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, is on an official visit to South Korea with the goal of strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic partnerships between the two countries. The focus of the visit is on economic development, bilateral trade expansion, and investment opportunities, particularly in sectors such as information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), electronics, semiconductors, modern manufacturing, shipbuilding, and light engineering industries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the delegation is expected to engage in significant discussions on various issues of mutual interest to deepen cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea. Other members of the delegation include Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Investment and Capital Market Tanvir Shahriar Ghani, and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky.
During their visit, the delegation will participate in a series of bilateral meetings with senior ministers and officials of the South Korean government. These meetings aim to explore new avenues for economic cooperation, trade, investment, and technological collaboration between the two countries.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) officials have indicated that a considerable number of meetings are likely to take place with major South Korean corporations such as Samsung, Hanwha Ocean, Naver, Youngone, FuriosaAI, and LG AI Research. Separate bilateral meetings are also planned with SK Gas and Naver, while discussions with the Korea International Cooperation Agency and Korea Eximbank are also on the agenda.
A significant topic of discussion will be the Integrated Growth Network Development initiative, which focuses on investment opportunities and technological cooperation. With support from the Asian Development Bank, this initiative seeks to connect production centers, industrial clusters, cities, and trade gateways through coordinated investments in transport, energy, urban services, skills, and digital infrastructure.
The government's Five-Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development envisions linking various regions of Bangladesh, including the northwest, Dhaka, and the southeast, with the goal of spreading economic opportunities beyond the capital. It estimates an indicative investment requirement of $80 billion across phases extending to the financial year 2045-46, drawing on public resources, private investment, public-private partnerships, and development partners.
Bangladesh also has a pipeline of infrastructure projects identified under the bilateral PPP platform, aimed at attracting Korean private capital. The FY2026-27 Annual Development Programme lists 17 unapproved public-sector projects without allocation that envisage Korean financing, including some with ADB cofinancing. These projects cover areas such as transport, sanitation, research, health, and skills, with ERD as the executing agency.