South Korea is interested in developing and expanding economic relations with Bangladesh, said the country’s ambassador to Dhaka, Park Young-sik.
The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Korea is currently underway. He also expressed hope that the signing of the EPI will further strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
He said these things at a view-sharing meeting at the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) office on Wednesday (February 26).
The meeting, chaired by BCI President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), held fruitful discussions on issues related to the interests of both countries, especially those related to mutual interests in the fields of industry and trade.
President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Senior Vice President Preeti Chakraborty, Director Chaitanya Kumar De (Chayon) and Zeyad Rahman spoke on behalf of BCI.
In addition, the acting president of Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), Moinul Islam, spoke. BCI Secretary General highlighted the activities of BCI and the potential areas of joint work between Bangladesh and Korea.
At the beginning of his speech, the BCI President recalled the role of Korea in the beginning of the journey of Bangladesh’s garment industry.
He said, we want to bring skilled trainers from a country rich in technical knowledge like Korea to produce trainers in the country, who will later produce skilled workers and managers across the country and help solve the shortage of skilled manpower.
The BCI President called for Korea’s cooperation in the country for producing skilled trainers, course curriculum and training manual (TOT), capacity to use modern technology, creation of new employment opportunities and expansion of export trade.
He said, we need Korean assistance in the fields of light engineering, agro processing, ICT, etc. We also need good facilities to learn Korean language.
Ambassador Park Young-sik said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Korea in 1973, both countries have been working together.
He said that the shipbreaking industry and ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh are very important. Currently, three training centers are being run in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna with the assistance of Korea to develop Bangladesh’s skills.
The ambassador also said that KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) is currently working on technical training of workers in Bangladesh. Korean businessmen in Bangladesh face visa and customs clearance complications. The renewable energy bidding process is quite complicated and time-consuming.
The BCI President assured the Korean Ambassador that he will talk to the relevant departments of the Bangladesh government on these issues.
BCI Directors Shahidul Islam Niru, Zia Haider Mithu, Jahangir Alam, Mahfuzur Rahman and BCI members were present in the meeting.
