Bangladesh finance minister visits Seoul for economic cooperation talks

The Federation of Korean Industries and Youngone jointly hosted a welcome dinner and Korea-Bangladesh economic cooperation forum for Bangladesh Planning and Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, on Monday, the two organizations said.

The event was organized to welcome Chowdhury and his delegation, who are visiting South Korea from Sunday through Friday, and to discuss ways to boost economic exchanges between the two countries. Participants explored measures to expand trade and investment and strengthen inter-industry cooperation, with particular focus on Bangladesh's growth potential and business opportunities.

Sung Rae-eun, vice chairman of Youngone and chair of the Korea-Bangladesh Economic Cooperation Committee, said Bangladesh has long been a valued business partner. "Bangladesh is a precious business partner with whom we have grown together over many years, and a country with which we share a special bond," Sung said. "I hope this visit will invigorate exchanges between the two countries' business communities, open new avenues for cooperation, and serve as a catalyst for sustainable shared growth."

The Bangladeshi delegation is also scheduled to hold high-level meetings with senior South Korean government officials — including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Lee Hyeong-il, Cheong Wa Dae National Security Director Wi Sung-lac, and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Trade Negotiation Chief Park Jeong-seong — to discuss economic and trade issues as well as broader bilateral cooperation.

The delegation plans to meet with major South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, SK hynix, LG Electronics, Hanwha Ocean and Naver. The itinerary also includes meetings with financial and development cooperation institutions — the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea Investment Corporation and Korea International Cooperation Agency — visits to advanced technology firms such as LG AI Research and Furiosa AI, and an on-site inspection of the Port of Busan.

Youngone has operated in Bangladesh since 1980, helping to nurture and grow the country's garment industry and contributing to Bangladesh becoming the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China. The group also established a model of industrial, community and environmental coexistence through the development of the Korea Export Processing Zone. Youngone said it intends to continue serving as a bridge for private-sector economic cooperation between the two countries through this latest exchange.