BSS
  20 Oct 2025, 18:29

BIDA chief leads strategic mission to South Korea

BIDA chief Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun -Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Oct 20, 2025 (BSS) - A high-level delegation from Bangladesh, led by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) today for a five-day strategic mission aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhancing institutional cooperation. 

The visit, scheduled from October 20-24, seeks to leverage South Korea's technological expertise and investment appetite to support Bangladesh's rapidly growing economy, said a press release.

The delegation includes senior officials from key government bodies, including the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The mission is being facilitated with technical support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group.

 During the visit, the team will hold a series of Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings from October 21-23, engaging major Korean conglomerates? Discussions will focus on investment opportunities in electronics, shipbuilding, power generation, textiles, chemicals, and heavy construction.

 Alongside investor engagement, the delegation will participate in Government-to-Government (G2G) discussions, including a confirmed meeting with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIE) to explore bilateral economic cooperation. Key topics include the proposed Korea-Bangladesh Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and recent trade policy matters.
The visit will be highlighted by the "Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh" seminar in Seoul on October 21, co-hosted by BIDA and the Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul, in partnership with the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). 

The seminar will showcase Bangladesh's investment readiness and feature insights from established Korean investors, including Youngone Corporation, emphasizing successful investment stories and long-term collaborations.

Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development at BIDA, said, "South Korea is one of Bangladesh's most valued economic partners. We aim to present Bangladesh as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for Korean investors. Our dual focus is on forging partnerships with leading high-tech companies and advancing high-level policy dialogue with MOTIE to enhance market access and economic integration."

The delegation will also participate in institutional development activities supported by IFC, aimed at strengthening BIDA's capacity to deliver investment promotion services and facilitate investor engagement.