Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury has urged Korean investors to explore Bangladesh as their next growth destination, citing the country’s untapped potential, competitive advantages and ongoing reforms to create a more investor-friendly environment.
Speaking at an investment seminar titled ‘Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh’ in Seoul on Tuesday, Chowdhury said the moment was “opportune for Korean businesses to align with Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.”
He assured full institutional support for investors seeking to establish or expand operations in the country, highlighting reforms designed to ensure smooth market entry and business expansion.
The event, organised by BIDA in collaboration with the Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, drew over 150 Korean business leaders, industry representatives and development partners.
Chowdhury highlighted Bangladesh’s resilient economy, favourable demographics and rapidly improving infrastructure as factors making it one of Asia’s most promising investment destinations.
BIDA Head of Business Development Nahian Rahman Rochi presented key investment opportunities in textiles, electronics, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy, noting that Bangladesh’s policy reforms and macroeconomic stability mirror South Korea’s economic transformation in the 1980s.
Executives from Korean firms already operating in Bangladesh shared their success stories. Youngone Corporation President Min-Suhk Lee said his company has invested over $600 million and employs more than 30,000 workers, reflecting Bangladesh’s growing competitiveness as a global manufacturing hub.
Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil urged Korean firms to participate in the country’s development journey, calling Bangladesh “an unparalleled gateway to South Asia.”
FKI Vice Chairman and CEO Chang-beom Kim praised the enduring economic and diplomatic partnership between Dhaka and Seoul and said ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), launched in August, are expected to further boost trade and investment.
The seminar marked the start of a five-day strategic mission to South Korea led by Chowdhury.
The delegation includes senior officials from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and representatives from the banking sector.
During the visit, the delegation will hold government-to-government and government-to-business meetings with Korean lawmakers and corporate leaders, as well as a special roundtable with members of the Korean business diaspora and academia from 21–23 October.