South Korea has pledged to deepen its ties with Bangladesh during a seminar in Dhaka where diplomats, investors and business leaders met to highlight corporate responsibility and future cooperation. The Korean ambassador said the partnership has grown over five decades and helped build Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry through early collaborations that set the path for large-scale exports. He praised Korean firms for sustainable business practices and pointed to the Korean Export Processing Zone in Chattogram as a major success that supports thousands of jobs and strong export earnings. The seminar drew Korean investors, government agencies, trade groups and local business leaders who discussed ways to expand trade, boost investment and share technical know-how. Delegates said that completing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement could open new markets for Bangladeshi goods and make trade faster and cheaper for exporters and importers. They noted that items such as footwear, ICT products, leather goods, light industrial products and medicines have room to grow in overseas markets and could benefit from closer links. Speakers underlined practical steps that would make investment easier, including smoother visa processes, faster customs handling, lower tariffs on key items and clearer rules for bringing profits back home. They also encouraged more training in technical and vocational skills so workers can take on new jobs in factories, services and infrastructure projects. Organizers emphasized that Korean firms already play a big role in infrastructure work and that stronger public and private partnerships can speed up projects that improve roads, ports and energy for local communities. The seminar also highlighted corporate social responsibility as more than charity, saying it is a long-term effort to help communities, improve working conditions and protect the environment. Guests welcomed ideas for pilot projects that cut the cost of trade paperwork and for small workshops that teach digital tools to small firms and women entrepreneurs so they can join global value chains. Many speakers praised Korean partners for sharing their development experience and for supporting programs that build skills, help public services and improve living standards. The event ended with a clear message: deeper economic links, guided by fair rules and strong social standards, can bring new jobs and more trade while protecting people and the planet. Participants said they look forward to turning words into real projects that help businesses grow, create work and make life better in both countries. Speakers pointed out that Korean support through agencies like KOICA helps training and public services, while Korean firms have joined hundreds of infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars, showing strong long-term ties. Organizers said the meeting aimed to turn good ideas into quick pilot projects so more people can feel the benefits soon and deepen mutual prosperity.
