For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Bangladesh and South Korea held the 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Seoul on Tuesday and agreed to deepen ties and explore a strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral–East and West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Korean delegation was headed by Park Yoonjoo, 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
Both countries stressed the need for high-level visits at the Head of State or government level, stating that such exchanges at a mutually convenient time would be crucial to upgrading Bangladesh–South Korea relations to a strategic partnership, UNB reports.
The consultations were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, marked by constructive and forward-looking discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations.
Issues discussed included political and economic cooperation, trade and investment, human resource development under the Employment Permit System (EPS), infrastructure development, relocation of Korean electronics and semiconductor production plants, energy cooperation, security, and the situation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingyas).
Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The delegations reviewed progress since the 3rd round of consultations held in March 2022 in Dhaka and identified new avenues of cooperation, particularly in science and technology, artificial intelligence, energy transition, fisheries, biotechnology, climate change, agricultural mechanisation, and modernisation of marine ports and shipyards.
Both sides agreed to deepen political trust and align development strategies.
The Korean side reiterated its commitment to support Bangladesh’s high-quality infrastructure projects under EDCF, KOICA, and EDPF grants and loans, and to encourage Korean manufacturing plants and production houses to expand their industrial value chains to Bangladesh.
Korea also emphasised its interest in contributing to sustainable development in South Asia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh sought enhanced cooperation in human resource development, regular migration under the EPS programme, and educational and technical collaboration to strengthen STEM and TVET education.
The Korean side commended Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in hosting the Rohingyas and assured continued support for their early repatriation to Myanmar, alongside sustained humanitarian assistance.
The two delegations also discussed key regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced cooperation on multilateral issues of common concern.