Khosru leads Bangladesh delegation in South Korea to boost economic partnership

A Bangladesh delegation, led by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, is making an official visit to South Korea aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic partnership between the two countries.

The visit will focus on economic development, bilateral trade expansion and investment opportunities, with particular emphasis on information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), electronics, semiconductors, modern manufacturing, shipbuilding and light engineering industries.

The delegation is also expected to hold important discussions on various issues of mutual interest to further 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 the visit, the delegation will participate in a series of bilateral meetings with senior ministers and officials of the South Korean government.

The meetings are expected to explore new avenues for economic cooperation, trade, investment and technological collaboration between the two countries.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) officials said that a good number of meetings are likely to be held with Samsung, Hanwha Ocean, Naver, Youngone, FuriosaAI and LG AI Research, while separate bilateral meetings are planned with SK Gas and Naver, while discussions are also planned with the Korea International Cooperation Agency and Korea Eximbank.

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The Integrated Growth Network Development initiative, will feature prominently in discussions on investment opportunities and technological cooperation.

With support from the Asian Development Bank, the ERD advanced IGND, seeks to connect production centres, 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 envisages linking the northwest, Dhaka and southeast, with additional growth clusters intended to spread economic opportunities beyond the capital.

It estimates an indicative investment requirement of $80 billion across phases extending to 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, offering a broader context for efforts to attract Korean private capital.

The FY2026-27 Annual Development Programme separately lists 17 unapproved public-sector projects without allocation that envisage Korean financing, including some with ADB cofinancing.

They cover transport, sanitation, research, health and skills.

The assistance would support planning, institutional arrangements and financing preparation, with ERD as the executing agency.