Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today extended an invitation to the President of South Korea to visit Bangladesh, aiming to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations. This invitation was extended during a meeting with South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat, as confirmed by Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, the South Korean trade minister discussed the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and South Korea. He emphasized that the agreement, once finalized, would significantly enhance trade and economic cooperation while boosting South Korean investments in Bangladesh. The minister noted that many South Korean businesses are already operating successfully in Bangladesh, with additional companies expressing interest in future investments.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed the prospect of increased South Korean investment, inviting entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in Bangladesh's toy, electronics, telecommunications, automobile, semiconductor, and shipbuilding sectors. He highlighted South Korea's advanced expertise in shipbuilding and suggested the establishment of training centers in Bangladesh to provide technical and language training for Bangladeshi workers, facilitating employment in the Korean shipbuilding industry. The Prime Minister assured that the Bangladesh government would support South Korean investments in the country's shipbuilding sector.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh delegation outlined plans to organize a seminar for South Korean companies to explore new investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Additionally, the South Korean trade minister was informed about various government initiatives aimed at creating an investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh, as stated by DPS Shadhin. Minister Yeo Han-koo expressed that the proposals from Bangladesh would strengthen future relations between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, among others.