Bangladesh is Korea’s priority partner country: Lee Jang-keun



Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal
Ambassador of South Korea (Republic of Korea) in Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun

Ambassador of South Korea (Republic of Korea) in Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

Ambassador of South Korea (Republic of Korea) in Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun said, In terms of ODA, Bangladesh is Korea’s priority partner country and the third largest recipient of ODA with a total volume of 790 million US dollars between 1987 to 2019. Infrastructure is another area where the two countries have developed close ties in recent years which has led to the launch of the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) platform between the two governments in 2019. People-to people and cultural exchanges also played important role in the strengthening of our bilateral ties. Currently there are around 20,000 Bangladeshi people living in Korea, most of whom are expatriate workers and their families.

He said this in an interview with Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BDTWA) recently.

In this interview, Lee Jang-keun also said, we are making an effort to establish direct airline connections between the two countries.

Lee Jang-keun

BDTWA has the opportunity to participate in Korean Film Festivals and Korean Travel Fair in National Museum last year. BDTWA president Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal made a wonderful power point presentation on that program.  BDTWA team meets with H.E. Lee Jang-Keun several times and arranges the interview. Interview is taken by Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal and Shakil Bin Mushtaq. Md. Zakaria Mondol was present in the pre-interview meeting. Here is the interview of the Excellency-

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: How H.E sees the role of South Korean companies, in the beginning and growing phases of Bangladesh's RMG industry, which became the world's second largest RMG exporter, has been well known to many Bangladeshis?

Lee Jang-keun: RMG has been the center of Korea-Bangladesh business ties since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between our two countries. Korean companies have played a central role in the development and growth of Bangladesh’s RMG sector. Mr. Nurul Qader, founder of Desh Garment and father of Bangladesh RMG industry, entered into a partnership with a Korean company, Daewoo Corporation in 1979. According to the agreement with Desh Garment, Daewoo invited 133 Bangladesh engineers, workers and managers to Korea in 1979 and gave them training for 6 months. With Daewoo’s technical cooperation, Desh Garment has grown to be the leader of the Bangladesh RMG sector. Those who went to Korea for training, including the late mayor of North Dhaka City Corporation, Mr. Anisul Haq, scattered around the country and planted the seeds of the Bangladesh RMG industry.


At present Korea is the 5th largest FDI country in Bangladesh with a stock investment volume of 1.4 billion dollars as of the end of 2021 out of which 924 million dollars is in the RMG sector. KEPZ in Chattogram is the first and largest private EPZ in the country operated by Youngone Corporation. There are around 100 Korean RMG companies in Bangladesh employing around 200,000 local workers. Youngone alone has invested more than 600 million US dollars employing more than 70,000.

In order to share the success stories of Korea-Bangladesh RMG collaboration, my Embassy recently prepared a video documentary of bilateral relations focusing on RMG cooperation.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: There are lots of potentials in the education sector in South Korea as we have seen students from all over the world go there for higher education. Does Korea have any plans for Bangladeshi students? Scholarship etc.

Lee Jang-keun: Currently about 1,400 Bangladeshi students are studying in  Korea. Majority of them are pursuing higher masters or doctorate degrees in the engineering field. Most of them are studying with partial or full scholarship.

While the Korean Government does not have a large scale scholarship program for Bangladeshi students, individual Korean universities also have their own scholarship programs for foreign students.

GKS, Global Korea Scholarship, is the major Korean Government scholarship for foreign students both for undergraduate and graduate studies. Annually between 15 to 20 Bangladesh students are going to Korea under the GKS scheme. This year, 7 Bangladesh students were admitted through this program for graduate studies in various Korean universities. Between 2011 and 2022 almost 200 Bangladesh youths have benefited from the GKS program. My Embassy is making various efforts to disseminate widely the information on studying in Korea in  cooperation with the GKS Bangladesh alumni association.


Korea is becoming a more and more popular destination for Bangladesh students even though the COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspiring Bangladesh youths wanting to study in Korea due to the visa restrictions. After the lift of visa restrictions in November 2021 an increasing number of students are going to Korea. The number of student visas my Embassy issued in 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic was around 450. In 2022 until now we have issued more than 600 student visas. The number of Bangladesh students going to Korea will continue to increase in the coming years.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: According to the current state of both country's bilateral trade status, how does H.E see the future trade relations? 

Lee Jang-keun: The bilateral trade volume between Korea and Bangladesh reached a record high in 2021 crossing 2 billion US dollars. According to the Korean statistics, in 2021 Korea’s export to Bangladesh was 1.636 billion US dollars, 58% increase from the previous year, while Bangladesh’s export to Korea was 552 million US dollars, 40% year-to-year increase.

The increase of bilateral trade is a very natural and welcoming development. In this regard, I would like to point out that the bilateral trade volume between our two countries has been stagnant almost 10 years after it reached 1.63 billion US dollars in 2011. During the pandemic in 2020 it dropped to 1.4 billion US dollars.


This year in 2022, the increasing trend of bilateral trade is continuing. During the first half of 2022, Korea’s export to Bangladesh increased by 43.2% year-to-year with 1 billion US dollars, while Bangladesh’s export to Korea grew by 34.3% with 342 million US dollars. Considering the solid continued economic growth of Korea and Bangladesh, I expect the bilateral trade will further increase in the future.

However, diversifying trading items, in particular Bangladesh’s export items to Korea, is a major challenge both countries are tackling now. At present garments and textile account for 83% of Bangladesh’s export to Korea. Bangladesh should make full use of the duty-free and quota-free access to the Korean market which the Korean Government has accorded to Bangladesh since 2012.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Since the independence of Bangladesh, Korea has become one of the largest development partners of the nation. How does H.E see these continued flow of aid and cooperation in the future based on our current economic growth?

Lee Jang-keun: Development cooperation is one of the areas where Korea places high priority in its relations with Bangladesh. As a country which could successfully develop its economy with the help of foreign donors, Korea wishes to share our knowledge and experience with other developing countries.


Bangladesh is currently the second largest recipient of Korea’s development assistance after Vietnam. So far Korea has provided 160 million US dollars in grants through KOICA, Korea’s development cooperation agency. Also, the Korean government has provided 1.34 billion US dollars in EDCF soft loans for 27 projects in various sectors, including public administration,  ICT, human resources development, transportation, water management, health and so on. The BSMMU Super Specialized Hospital which will be inaugurated soon is a prime project financed by the EDCF loan which  has a very low interest rate with a long repayment period.

Korea’s development assistance is expected to continuously increase in the future which will support various development projects of the Bangladesh Government and help the smooth transition of the country’s LDC graduation in 2026. Korea recently decided to significantly  increase the volume of its soft loan to Bangladesh from 700 million to 3 billion US dollars for  the period of 2021 and 2025.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Earlier we heard that Korea wants to manufacture cars in Bangladesh as it considers the country an important destination for trade and investment. Any development in this regard?

Lee Jang-keun: As Bangladesh's economy keeps advancing, the automobile consumer market is also expanding. This means that Bangladesh is becoming an attractive market for Korean automakers.

At present, Hyundai Motors in partnership with a local Bangladesh company, Fair Technology, plans to assemble its automobile locally in Bangladesh. Fair Technology is setting up a manufacturing plant on 6 acres of land at Kaliakair Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur with technical assistance from Hyundai Motors. It is expected to start producing the Hyundai cars within the year.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Do you have any plan for Bangladesh- Korea bilateral tourism development?

Lee Jang-keun: While there is no specific plan for bilateral projects in the tourism sector, my Embassy is making various efforts to increase people-to-people exchanges which include tourism. Last year in October my Embassy organized a Korean tourism exhibition in parallel with the Korean Film Festival at the National Museum of Bangladesh in Dhaka. Thousands of Bangladesh people participated and experienced a Korea tourism program prepared by the Embassy.

Also, we are making an effort to establish direct airline connections between the two countries. Currently chartered passenger flights operate between Dhaka and Incheon weekly. It first started carrying Koreans living in Bangladesh to Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 when international commercial airlines suspended operations. Now the chartered flight is carrying Bangladesh expatriate workers as well as students going to Korea.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh authority views Korea and Koreans as one of the potential tourists the country can attract. I understand that the number of Koreans arriving in Bangladesh has been among the top among the foreign tourists.

Korea and Bangladesh will celebrate together next year the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. It will provide a meaningful momentum to boost tourism between the two countries and people.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen sought support from South Korea in sending back Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh. What is Seoul's view about this issue?

Lee Jang-keun: Korea has been supporting the Bangladesh government and international community for the early, safe, voluntary and orderly repatriation of the Rohingya refugees to their homeland which will be the only ultimate solution to the current international Rohingya refugee crisis.

To this end, the Korean Government has been providing humanitarian assistance for supporting the Bangladesh host community as well as the Rohingya refugees sheltered in Cox’s Bazar through international humanitarian agencies such as UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNICEF and IFRC. Our annual contribution through these agencies is about 4 to 5 million US dollars. Korea also provided support for the refugees relocated to the Bashan Char last year.

Wishing that there will be substantial progress in the negotiations among the concerned countries, Korea will continue to support the efforts of the Bangladesh government and the international community for the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: H.E, during a recent meeting with science and technology minister Yeafesh Osman handed over the MoU cross-signed by his Korean counterpart, minister Lim Heysook. What is the significance of this MoU, what is in it?

Lee Jang-keun: Korea and Bangladesh signed an MOU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation on 30 December, 2021. The MOU was to strengthen the implementation of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the two Governments signed in May 1995.  It  has laid the institutional foundation to further promote cooperation in science and technology areas between the two governments by stipulating various areas and forms of cooperation including the establishment of a Joint Committee.

As one of the most advanced countries in science and technology areas across the globe, Korea is committed to enhancing scientific and technological collaboration with Bangladesh in areas of mutual benefit.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Last year we heard that South Korea has expressed its keen interest to preserve the historic Panam City for the benefit of future generations and to attract tourists, built in Sonargaon in Narayanganj in the early nineteenth century, about 37 kilometres south of the capital city Dhaka. Any development on it?

Lee Jang-keun: In fact, it was not the Korean government but a Korean company which expressed its willingness  to contribute to the preservation of the historic Panam City. This Korean company, Youngone Corporation, which is operating the KEPZ, Korean Export Processing Zone, in Chattogram already initiated the restoration of the Baro Sadar Bari in Sonargaon next to the Panam City with its own financing.

My understanding of the current status of this idea of Panam City restoration is that it is not making progress due to the differences in the specific conditions of the restoration work between the Korean company and the Bangladesh government.

Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: South Korea is still a dream destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Any plans or thoughts for Bangladeshi workers to get opportunities there?

Lee Jang-keun: The Korean Government has been recruiting unskilled foreign workers from 16 selected countries including Bangladesh through a program called Employment Permit System(EPS).

According to an MoU signed between the two governments in 2008, so far around 20,000 Bangladesh expatriate workers have been dispatched to Korea. The annual quota allocated to Bangladesh has been around 2,000. But this year it is expected that around 4,000 Bangladesh workers will be admitted to Korea which is a record high number. A total of 2,594 Bangladesh workers have been admitted to Korea between January and July 2022.

My Embassy is working closely with Bangladesh authorities not only to increase the number of workers but also to diversify the areas of employment including fisheries and agriculture.

Expatriate workers have been a central pillar of Korea-Bangladesh friendship and will continue to play an essential role in strengthening the friendly ties between our two countries.

Lee Jang-keun: Ambassador, Republic of Korea

   

The King of Bhutan satisfied with the site, wants to come again to Kurigram



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Kurigram
Photo: Barta24

Photo: Barta24

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan visited the 'Bhutan Special Economic Zone' in the northern district of Kurigram. This was the first visit of a foreign head of state to Kurigram.

On Thursday (March 28) from 1:20 PM to 1:35 PM, the King of Bhutan stayed at the 'Bhutan Special Economic Zone' in Madhavaram village of Dharla bank near Kurigram town.

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon spoke to reporters after leaving the venue after visiting the King of Bhutan Economic Zone. He said the king of Bhutan has agreed to develop this place as an economic zone. He visited the place and liked it. He (King of Bhutan) also said that I myself will come here once more when the work starts. He is satisfied with the space and communication system here.

Quoting the King of Bhutan, Yusuf Harun also said, the King said, the factory will be built here in accordance with the needs of the local people and the needs of the investors. Special emphasis will be given to agriculture and productivity.

During the King's visit to Kurigram, he was accompanied by State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) Sheikh Yusuf Haroon, Member of Parliament for Kurigram 2 Constituency Dr. Hamidul Haque Khandkar, Mayor of Kurigram Municipality Kajiul Islam, Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner and other political leaders and administration officials.

After visiting the proposed Economic Zone site of Kurigram, the King of Bhutan entered Golakganj in the Indian state of Assam through Sonahat land port of Bhurungamari upazila around 3 pm. Bangladesh State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury bid him farewell there. This ended the four-day state visit of the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.

It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had announced the establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram in 2015 in a public meeting at Kurigram Government College grounds. In view of this, an economic zone has been designated on the eastern side of the Kurigram-Bhurungamari road, east of the Dharla Bridge at the eastern end of the district town.

Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed the establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram in a bilateral meeting with the King and Queen of Bhutan in London in May 2023. In response to that call, the government of Bhutan came forward. In view of this, Bangladesh government is giving 190 acres of land to Bhutan to establish a special economic zone in Kurigram. An agreement was also signed with the Government of Bangladesh on the establishment of a Special Economic Zone for Bhutan at Kurigram during the ongoing visit of the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.

;

Government has come a long way in rescuing hostages including ships: Foreign Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the government has come a long way to free the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah and 23 sailors.

He said, we are in communication to rescue the sailors. Various activities are being carried out to free them. We continue to work keeping in mind that no harm should come to them. I just want to say that we have come a long way.

The Foreign Minister gave this information in response to questions from journalists at a briefing on contemporary affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (March 28).

Hasan Mahmud said about the food shortage in the ship, food shortage did not happen in the past when the ship was hijacked. After three years of detention, it did not happen. 100 days have not yet passed. Hopefully, it won't happen in this case either.

Note that on March 12, Somali pirates hijacked the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah in the Indian Ocean, 600 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia. After three days, the hostage ship with the sailors was taken to the coast of Somalia. The pirates anchored the ship off the coast of Gadvajiran, Somalia after making two changes of location.

After 9 days of taking the Bangladeshi ship hostage with 23 sailors, Somali pirates contacted the owners.

;

Prime Minister’s directives to be proactive in dealing with LDC transition and challenges



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

In 2026, Bangladesh will get to be promoted from the Least Developed Country (LDC) list to a developing country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instructions on what benefits will be available from abroad and what challenges will be faced. Also, the head of government ordered to be proactive in dealing with the problem from now on.

She gave this instruction at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Thursday (March 28).

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Sheikh Hasina. At the end of the meeting Minister of Planning Major General (retd.) Abdus Salam and Minister of State for Planning Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarkar gave details in the press conference. At that time, Secretary of Planning Division Satyajit Karmakar and members of Planning Commission were present.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the projects which are in the last stage should be completed by releasing money quickly.

ECNEC meeting approved Chancery House construction project in Egypt. The Prime Minister has asked to keep booths and waiting areas for serving expatriates there. Apart from this, Union Parishad Complex construction projects have also been approved in all districts of Bangladesh. She ordered to complete the work of this project as soon as possible and to preserve the rain water there.

Sheikh Hasina has said that a special system for training women will be kept in the new complex of the Weaving Board. Along with that, she instructed all the upazilas of Kurigram to prevent river erosion and work keeping in mind the risk of erosion in the construction of roads.

It is to be noted that 11 projects at a cost of Tk. 8 thousand 425 crore 51 lakh have been approved in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Out of this, Tk. 7 thousand 939 crore 87 lakh will be available from government funds and 485 crore 64 lakh rupees from project loans.

Approved projects include - Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Complex and Residential Building in Cairo, Egypt, Procurement of 20 Meter Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotive and 150 Meter Gauge Passenger Carriage (1st Revised) for Bangladesh Railways, Kashinathpur-Dashuria-Nator-Rajshahi-Nawabganj-Kansat-Sonamsjid-Baliadighi Border (N-06) Improvement of National Highway to appropriate standard and width (Nawabganj section), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock infrastructure development (1st phase) to increase the capacity of existing government fish farms and fish production, Improvement of Fish Landing Center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox's Bazar District Scheme, Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme of Districts of Greater Rangpur Region, Construction of Union Parishad Complex Building (3rd Phase), Establishment of Comprehensive Cancer, Heart Disease and Kidney Treatment Centers in 8 Divisional Towns Health Services Department (1st Revised) etc.

;

‘Bangladeshi Americans are working to strengthen the relationship between the two countries’



News Desk, Barta24.com
Photo: Barta24.com

Photo: Barta24.com

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

The US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Ambassador Donald Lu, has highly appreciated the contributions of the Bangladeshi Americans to building the foundations of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Ambassador Lu was addressing as the Guest of Honour a reception hosted by Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.


Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mr. Muhammad Imran delivered the welcome address at the function held at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Mission.

US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu said there are huge number of Bangladeshi Americans in the United States and it’s their strength and tremendous hard work that builds the foundation of the excellent relations between the two countries.


“We are so proud of the work of the Bangladeshi Americans what they do to support the relations between our two great nations,” he said.

In this connection, Mr. Donald Lu referred to Bangladeshi-American entrepreneurs who have excelled in different fields with their unique and innovative ideas.

The US Assistant Secretary of State concluded his remarks by saying, “Happy Birthday Bangladesh and Joy Bangla”.


In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador Muhammad Imran extended heartfelt greetings to all Bangladeshi people living at home at abroad on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day.

He also paid deep homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and three million martyrs who sacrificed their life for the cause of independence.

Ambassador Imran said Bangladesh attaches high importance to its long-standing partnership with the United States. Ever since the establishment our two countries’ relations, there prevailed excellent understanding and collaboration with the United States playing a positive role in Bangladesh’s development journey.

Caption

He mentioned that Bangladesh also shares with the United States a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all. We sincerely believe that two countries will be able to strengthen and advance the relationship further and explore new areas of cooperation, Ambassador Imran said.

He said Bangladesh looks forward to the support and cooperation from all its friends to realize the dream of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to transform Bangladesh into “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal), a hunger-and poverty-free prosperous Bangladesh.

Later, the US Assistant Secretary of State and the Bangladesh Ambassador jointly cut a cake in the presence of the guests. Earlier, the reception began with the playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. It was followed by a screening of a documentary on the Liberation War and development of Bangladesh.

Ambassador Rebecca Gonzales, Director, Office of Foreign Missions, US State Department, Ambassadors and diplomats of different countries, senior officials of the State Department, and representatives from the US Government, USAID, USTR, NDI, IRI and other organizations were present at the function.

The event was also attended by Ambassador Mr. Muhammad Ziauddin, Ambassador at Large of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and former Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus, ex-Alternate Executive Director of World Bank Group and Principal Secretary to Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Saddam Selim, a Bangladeshi American elected a State Senator from Virginia and Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, the President of the US chapter of Bangladesh Awami League and the members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

To celebrate the great Independence and National Day, the Bangladesh Embassy arranged daylong programs that included hoisting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, screening of a documentary and holding a discussion session and a special prayer.

The day’s programs began in the morning with ceremonially hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador Muhammad Imran on the Chancery premises. Officials and employees of the Mission were present on the occasion.

Later, the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the presence of the officials of the Embassy.

The messages issued on the occasion by the Hon'ble President, Hon'ble Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister were read out by Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain and Counsellor and Head of Chancery Ms Shamima Yeasmin Smrite.

Later, a discussion session highlighting the significance of the Independence and National Day was held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Bangladesh Embassy Shamima Yeasmin Smrite and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the programs.

;