South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun today said this year will be momentous in terms of Bangladesh-Korea relations and efforts are underway to further strengthen the relations through joint efforts.
“We want to make it a milestone year,” he said while speaking at a programme at the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka.
The ambassador thanked the Korean Community in Bangladesh for celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh-South Korea diplomatic relations.
To celebrate and propel economic success and celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Korean Community Association is gearing up for “Korea Week 2023” – to be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) and Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka from February 25 to March 3 with the theme “Stay Strong, March Together”.
South Korea is Bangladesh’s 5th largest FDI provider with USD 1.3 billion invested here. Almost 200 South Korean companies have already invested in various sectors in Bangladesh.
Recently, South Korea’s investment has been diversified to infrastructure, energy, and consumer goods such as electronics, thereby contributing to the further expansion of bilateral collaboration.
The South Korea International Trade Association (SKITA) estimates that the two nations' bilateral trade volume reached $3.035 billion in 2022, a 38.71 percent increase from $2.188 billion the year before.
The Korean Community Association, along with Korea Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), is organizing "Korea Week 2023."
Chairman of the Korean Community in Bangladesh Yong Oh Yu said, "South Korea is considering introducing big Korean companies such as Samsung and Hyundai to Bangladesh to engage in construction, engineering, electronics, and autos as Bangladesh improves its investment environment and expands its market base."
A profusion of festivals and events will mark the 50th anniversary with a view to deepening and promoting more opportunities, building up consolidated economic relationships, and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In "Showcase Korea” (demonstration and display of Korean goods; 25-26 February), more than 40 companies will participate in Showcase Korea, for which LG will serve as the lead sponsor.
For Kpop Teams Live Concert on 25 February through Samsung Galaxy sponsorship, Boy-group “TAN” and Girl-group “ICU” along with Korean martial art Taekwondo performance team “Nolja” will come to Dhaka to entertain Bangladesh Kpop fans.
In addition, various cultural experience activities (throughout the week sponsored by KOICA), Korean food, electronic products, and Korean tourism information will be introduced to Bangladesh people.
Tickets for Kpop Live Concert (including Taekwondo performance) are available through the website www.KOREAWEEK2023.COM
Korea Cup Golf Tournament will be held at Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka cantonment on March 1 and 2 and an award show will be presented on March 3.
Ambassador Lee Jang-keun said,"it is great to see the Korean Community in Bangladesh has voluntarily organized this big event in honor of the historic 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Bangladesh.”
He mentioned that the Embassy, along with KBCCI and other Korea-related organizations including KOTRA, KOICA, Korea Eximbank, and KIND, will endeavor to successfully carry out multiple events in that name of “Korea Week 2023” to provide more business and entertainment opportunities to Bangladeshi business society and K-Culture lovers.
Emphasizing that bilateral trade volume reached an all-time high of $3.4 billion in 2022, Ambassador Lee said he is committed to developing economic relations between the two countries, and to that end, “Showcase Korea 2023” will be a significant momentum as both sides could find more collaboration.
Source: United News of Bangladesh