Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday invited the South Korean President to visit Bangladesh as the two countries moved closer to signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The invitation was extended during a courtesy call by South Korea’s Minister for Trade Han-Koo Yeo at the Prime Minister’s office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the South Korean minister briefed the Prime Minister on the proposed CEPA, highlighting that the agreement will significantly expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation while encouraging more South Korean investment in Bangladesh. Han-Koo Yeo noted that many South Korean companies are already operating successfully in Bangladesh, with many more expressing interest in investing in the country.

Tarique Rahman urged South Korean companies to invest in key sectors such as toy manufacturing, electronics, telecommunications, automobile, semiconductor, and shipbuilding. He emphasized South Korea’s expertise in shipbuilding, combined with Bangladesh’s promising workforce, offers significant opportunities for collaboration. The Prime Minister suggested that South Korea could establish training centers in Bangladesh to provide technical and language training for Bangladeshi workers before employing them in its shipbuilding industry. Furthermore, he assured that the Bangladesh government would extend the necessary support if South Korean companies invest in the country’s shipbuilding sector.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh delegation informed the South Korean minister about plans to organize a seminar involving South Korean companies to showcase investment opportunities in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister also highlighted various measures taken by the government to improve the country’s investment climate. Han-Koo Yeo expressed enthusiasm over Bangladesh’s latest initiatives, stating that they would further strengthen bilateral ties and create new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury.