Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury has called on Korean investors to explore Bangladesh as their next growth destination, emphasizing the country’s untapped potential, competitive advantages, and ongoing reforms to foster a more investor-friendly environment.

Speaking at an investment seminar titled “Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh” held at Seoul in South Korea on Tuesday, Ashik Chowdhury said this is “the most opportune moment for Korean businesses to align with Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.”

He assured full institutional support for Korean investors looking to establish or expand their ventures in Bangladesh, noting that the government has implemented comprehensive reforms to ensure seamless market entry, operations, and expansion for foreign enterprises.

The high-profile event, organized by BIDA in collaboration with the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Republic of Korea and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), and supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, brought together over 150 Korean business leaders, industry representatives, and development partners.

Ashik Chowdhury highlighted that Bangladesh’s resilient economy, favorable demographics, and rapidly improving infrastructure make it one of the most promising investment destinations in Asia.

BIDA’s Head of Business Development, Nahian Rahman Rochi, delivered a detailed presentation showcasing key investment opportunities in textiles, electronics, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy. He said Bangladesh’s policy reforms and macroeconomic stability mirror South Korea’s economic transformation in the 1980s.

Executives from Korean companies already operating in Bangladesh shared their success stories. Youngone Corporation President Min-Suhk Lee noted that his company, one of Bangladesh’s largest foreign investors, has invested over $600 million and employs more than 30,000 workers — a testament to Bangladesh’s growing competitiveness as a global manufacturing hub.

Welcoming participants, Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil urged Korean companies to take part in Bangladesh’s development journey, describing the country as “an unparalleled gateway to South Asia.”

FKI Vice Chairman and CEO Chang-beom Kim praised the enduring economic and diplomatic partnership between Dhaka and Seoul, adding that ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), initiated in August, are expected to further boost bilateral trade and investment.

The seminar marked the beginning of a five-day strategic mission to South Korea led by BIDA’s Executive Chairman. The delegation includes senior officials from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and representatives from the banking sector.

During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to hold a series of G2G and G2B meetings with Korean parliamentarians and top corporate leaders, as well as a special roundtable with Korean business diaspora members and academia from October 21–23.