[🇧🇩] Partnership Between Bangladesh And South Korea

[Saif]

S Korea intends to begin with $6.0b in fresh ventures

Dhaka expects South Korean loans for nearly two dozen proposed development projects initially involving Tk 816.70 billion as the Asian country aspires to be a new financier of megaprojects in Bangladesh. High officials of the lender-country evinced initial consent to loans worth

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Now comes new financier of megaprojects in Bangladesh
S Korea intends to begin with $6.0b in fresh ventures

JAHIDUL ISLAM
Published :
Jul 30, 2025 00:13
Updated :
Jul 30, 2025 00:13

Dhaka expects South Korean loans for nearly two dozen proposed development projects initially involving Tk 816.70 billion as the Asian country aspires to be a new financier of megaprojects in Bangladesh.

High officials of the lender-country evinced initial consent to loans worth over US$ 6.0 billion during a recent visit to Bangladesh, said officials at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

"South Korea is considering increasing its investment in Bangladesh's development projects. However, the country is currently showing a stronger inclination towards financing megaprojects," officials told The Financial Express.

Earlier on July 22, a four-member delegation from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Export-Import Bank of Korea met with officials at the ERD exploring investment prospects.

Ahead of the meeting, the ERD had sought project proposals from around three dozen implementing agencies to present a pipeline of potential development initiatives, as the incumbent interim government moves to inject fresh impetus in development works after recent slowdown.

The ERD officials have identified the political turmoil in both countries as a major obstacle to realizing the proposed investments. "South Korea is also facing political instability, much like the current situation in Bangladesh," notes one official.

The interest rate on the credits from the Korean Exim Bank would be determined commercially, but the rate of Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) would remain within 1.0 per cent, unchanged as in the framework agreement signed with Korea in 2022, says the officer.

"Even if the projects are approved at this stage, ensuring fund disbursement will still be a challenge. Some projects are under consideration for Korean financing, while feasibility studies are being conducted under Korean methodology for others," says another official.

Projects nearing completion of feasibility assessments are now at a mature stage, and agreements on those are likely to be signed soon. Discussions during the recent engagement also covered the investment currently in the pipeline.

"We discussed the pipeline projects, including areas where they have inconsistencies and where we fall short," the official told the FE.

There were also talks on issues related to project clearance -- where the Bangladesh side is holding back and where they are yet to give the green light.

A high official who attended the meeting said that while South Korea previously invested in small-scale projects, it is now showing interest in large initiatives such as Metro Rail Line-4, Metro Rail Line-5, rolling-stock supply for the railway, and construction of power-transmission lines.

Since 1993, the South Korean government has invested in various development projects in Bangladesh through the Korea Exim Bank. Most of Korea's assistance has come in the form of concessional loans.​

 

[Bilal9]

KOICA chief meets Chief Adviser​

BSS

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) President Chang Won-sam called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital on Monday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing development cooperation, investment, skills training and support for Bangladesh's smooth graduation from LDC status, said Chief Adviser's Press Wing Monday evening.

"It's truly great for me to visit this country again. I convey the warm greetings from the President," said KOICA President Chang Won-sam.

He reaffirmed KOICA's political and developmental support for the interim government of Bangladesh and its ongoing reform initiatives.

Prof Yunus welcomed Chang Won-sam at the Jamuna and thanked him for his visit. The Chief Adviser expressed hope that Bangladesh and Korea would continue to advance together at an accelerated pace.

Presenting the government's economic vision, Prof Yunus encouraged Korean investors and institutions to view Bangladesh as a long-term strategic partner in production and trade.

"We want to become a production hub," he said, adding, "We can produce your products here and sell them everywhere. We have the manpower and the capabilities, and our young population is eager to work hard."

The Chief Adviser placed special emphasis on people-centric cooperation, particularly in language training, healthcare, and skills development.

He urged KOICA to expand Korean language programmes in Bangladesh to widen opportunities for Bangladeshi youth in education, training, and employment in Korea.

Prof Yunus also called for deeper collaboration in healthcare training.

"It's very crucial for our healthcare system and for global healthcare. We need to focus more on training nurses," he said, noting the growing global demand for skilled nurses and health workers.

In response, KOICA President Chang Won-sam expressed willingness to explore expanded cooperation in skill development and education.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present at the meeting.

 

[Saif]

KOICA chief meets Chief Adviser​

BSS

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) President Chang Won-sam called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital on Monday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing development cooperation, investment, skills training and support for Bangladesh's smooth graduation from LDC status, said Chief Adviser's Press Wing Monday evening.

"It's truly great for me to visit this country again. I convey the warm greetings from the President," said KOICA President Chang Won-sam.

He reaffirmed KOICA's political and developmental support for the interim government of Bangladesh and its ongoing reform initiatives.

Prof Yunus welcomed Chang Won-sam at the Jamuna and thanked him for his visit. The Chief Adviser expressed hope that Bangladesh and Korea would continue to advance together at an accelerated pace.

Presenting the government's economic vision, Prof Yunus encouraged Korean investors and institutions to view Bangladesh as a long-term strategic partner in production and trade.

"We want to become a production hub," he said, adding, "We can produce your products here and sell them everywhere. We have the manpower and the capabilities, and our young population is eager to work hard."

The Chief Adviser placed special emphasis on people-centric cooperation, particularly in language training, healthcare, and skills development.

He urged KOICA to expand Korean language programmes in Bangladesh to widen opportunities for Bangladeshi youth in education, training, and employment in Korea.

Prof Yunus also called for deeper collaboration in healthcare training.

"It's very crucial for our healthcare system and for global healthcare. We need to focus more on training nurses," he said, noting the growing global demand for skilled nurses and health workers.

In response, KOICA President Chang Won-sam expressed willingness to explore expanded cooperation in skill development and education.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present at the meeting.

We need investments from South Korea. South Korean company like Samsung can make a big difference in Bangladesh's economy by investing in the IT and Electronic sectors.

 

[Afhan]

@Cryptonian Where is Sharma @Vsdoc @Lulldapull

 

[Krishna with Flute]

One of the partnership example was import of railway engine which did not start.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

@Cryptonian Where is Sharma @Vsdoc @Lulldapull

They join Discord looking to the degraded discussion of this forum. This no more remained a worthy place for intellectual discussion.

 

[Afhan]

They join Discord looking to the degraded discussion of this forum. This no more remained a worthy place for intellectual discussion.

I dont understand

 

[Krishna with Flute]

@Cryptonian Where is Sharma @Vsdoc @Lulldapull

They join Discord looking to the degraded discussion of this forum. This no more remained a worthy place for intellectual discussion.

I dont understand

Because PK.defense give lots of freedom to Chinese trolls, to derail discussion, copy pest same post again and again, they (I too) got tired and moved to an Indian forum named Discord. Now Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Chinese can discuss here happily. You can see the condition of forum. No intellectual debate, no posting of diverse topic, no discussion on humanity topics, architecture, science, space, defence, foreign policy what myself, doc ,lul and sharma used to discuss. PDF Billu ko Mubarak.