Greater cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea stressed

Participants at a programme laid emphasis on a greater cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea.

They also stressed the need for further strengthening collaboration between the two countries especially in the field of infrastructure development.

The observations were made an "Infrastructure Project Roadshow 2025", organised by Embassy of the Republic of Korea and KOTRA Dhaka office organised in the city on Wednesday, aiming to boost bilateral trades between Bangladesh and Korea.

Thirteen state entities of Bangladeshi and 35 Korean construction and engineering companies took part in the sixth episode of such event at a city Hotel.

Director General of KOTRA, Jinhak Hur, in his welcoming speech at the programme, stressed the importance of infrastructure cooperation in developing close bilateral ties between the two countries, said a press release.

Representatives from Samsung C&T, Hyundai E&C, Dohwa Engineering, Kolon Global, KECC etc. from Korean side and Planning Commission, Department of Roads and Highways, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC), Dhaka WASA, Chattogram WASA, Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh Ltd (PGCB), Rural Electrification Board (REB), from the Bangladesh side took part in the event.

Country directors of Korean Exim Bank, and Korea Overseas Infrastructure Urban Development Corporation (KIND) were also presented at the programme, according to the press release.

Planning Commission made a presentation on project approval process.

The planning approval process typically starts with feasibility study and ends with administrative approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, the programme was told.

The presentation also highlighted Annual Development Programme (ADP) formulation process and development planning systems in Bangladesh.

Following the presentation, one-on-one meeting was held between interested Korean companies and government authorities based on the results of the prior demand survey.

Korean companies have been long-standing partner of Bangladesh, said the press release.

In recent years, the bilateral relations between the two countries witnessed remarkable developments in areas of cooperation beyond the ready-made garment (RMG), particularly in infrastructure.

Korean companies are also playing important role in infrastructure development projects in Bangladesh through engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and engineering consultancy services worth over billions of dollars in the past few years, it added.

Korea is also directly supporting Bangladesh through KIND initiated G to G PPP projects.

Korean Exim Bank is actively supporting infrastructure projects such as Road, Railway, Metro Rail, Power, Water and Sewerage etc.

Through all these initiatives, Korea wants to build stronger ties with Bangladesh.

Azizjst@yahoo.com