The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic position, youthful workforce and investor-friendly changes, has encouraged South Korean businesses to capitalise on the country’s quickly changing investment landscape at an investment seminar Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh.
With US $ 1.56 billion in total investments across more than 150 enterprises, South Korea is presently the fifth-largest foreign investor in Bangladesh. These cover important industries including electronics, textiles, footwear and automobile manufacturing—all of which are highly compatible with Bangladesh’s objectives for economic diversification.
BIDA Executive Chairman, Ashik Chowdhury stated that this is “the most opportune moment” for Korean companies to support Bangladesh’s development. “To guarantee smooth entry, operation and growth for international businesses, our government has put in place extensive measures. We encourage Korean investors to consider Bangladesh as a potential location for their next expansion,” he continued.
BIDA’s Head of Business Development, Nahian Rahman Rochi, gave a presentation on the nation’s new investment objectives in electronics, renewable energy, automobile manufacturing and textiles.
“Bangladesh is one of the most promising markets in South Asia due to its favourable demographics, macroeconomic resilience and expanding infrastructure,” he stated.
He compared it to the economic boom in South Korea in the 1980s and said, “There has never been a better time to enter Bangladesh.” Investors should anticipate high profits due to steady inflation, export expansion and a business-friendly policy environment.
Executives from Korean businesses that were already doing business in Bangladesh talked about their achievements. Youngone Corporation President Min-Suhk Lee gave some thought to the company’s four decades in Bangladesh, where it has invested more than US $ 600 million and has over 30,000 employees.
He noted that Youngone’s sustained performance demonstrates Bangladesh’s potential as a desirable production base and commended the nation’s competitiveness as a manufacturing hub.
Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), Chang-beom Kim, emphasised the two countries’ long-standing friendship, which has lasted for more than 50 years. He pointed out that it is anticipated that the ongoing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks, which were started in August 2025, will greatly increase bilateral investment and trade.
Senior officials from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the banking industry are participating in the seminar as part of a larger five-day strategic trip to South Korea headed by Ashik Chowdhury.
The BIDA delegation met with prominent Korean journalists after the seminar, and from 21st to 23rd October, it will hold a number of government-to-business (G2B) and government-to-government (G2G) meetings with Korean lawmakers and business executives. In order to foster collaboration and advance investment prospects, the team will also participate in a unique roundtable with intellectual and business leaders from the Korean diaspora.
