Prime minister invites South Korean president to visit Bangladesh

South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han Koo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique  Rahman.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the progress of signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), expanding investment, and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. On the occasion, the prime minister invited the president of South Korea to visit Bangladesh.

The meeting was held at 2:30 pm Monday at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The matter was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

At the beginning of the meeting, Yeo Han Koo briefed the prime minister on the progress of the CEPA. According to him, “Once the agreement comes into effect, bilateral trade, economic cooperation, and South Korean investment between Bangladesh and South Korea will increase significantly.”

He also mentioned that many South Korean companies are already operating successfully in Bangladesh. More companies are interested in investing in Bangladesh in the future.

The prime minister called on South Korean companies to invest in the toy, electronics, telecommunications, automobile, semiconductor, and shipbuilding sectors.

He noted that South Korea has achieved world class expertise in the shipbuilding industry, while Bangladesh has a promising workforce. He said South Korea could establish training centers in Bangladesh to provide worker training and language education. At the same time, if South Korean companies invest in Bangladesh's shipbuilding industry, the government will provide all necessary support.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh side also presented plans to organize an investment seminar in the country involving South Korean companies. At the same time, the South Korean trade minister was informed about various initiatives taken by the government to ensure an investment friendly environment.

In response, Yeo Han Koo commented, “These initiatives and proposals by Bangladesh will further strengthen the future relationship between the two countries.”

The meeting was attended by Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Adviser Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir, the prime minister's adviser on economic affairs and planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury, and other relevant officials.