Newly appointed South Korean ambassador to Bangladesh pays courtesy call on CCCI president

The newly appointed South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-Keun paid a courtesy call on Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Mahbubul Alam on Thursday morning.

Second Secretary of the Embassy Joo Ji Jung, Head of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Kim Jang-Won, Director of CCCI Syed Mohammad Tanvir and Honorary Consul of Korea (Gazipur) and former director of the chamber Mohammad Mohsin were also present at the meeting at the CCCI's office at the World Trade Center.

Ambassador Lee Jang-Keun said South Korea is the 6th largest investor in Bangladesh with an investment of about $1.2 billion. About 200 South Korean companies have invested in the country and the Korean Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is an excellent example of the friendship between the two countries.

In addition to readymade garments, Korea is currently investing in infrastructure development and electronics and automobile sectors.

The ambassador also said a joint venture is being planned for the construction of Bangabandhu Medical University and Hospital and Korea is keen to invest in more mega projects.

The newly-appointed ambassador also said during his tenure, bilateral economic relations between the two countries would be very helpful in transforming Bangladesh into a developed country.

He expressed his hope that through talks with the government they can achieve speedy resolutions to existing problems like reduction in dividends, changes in labor laws and ensuring benefits to retiring workers which in turn will help enhance Korean investment in the country.

Acknowledging Korea's role in the recognition of independent Bangladesh and their contribution as a development partner, CCCI President Mahbubul Alam said Korea's cooperation would play a very effective role in making Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 a reality.

Korean investments in Bangladesh, including those in EPZ and KPZ, have accelerated job creation as well as socio-economic development in the country.

He sought the cooperation of the ambassador in arranging Korean language training for the recruitment of skilled manpower from Bangladesh and ensured the chamber's full cooperation regarding the matter.

The CCCI president also sought Korean cooperation to reduce trade deficit and increase of investment in the Mirsarai Economic Zone so that more Bangladeshi products can enter the Korean market.

Mahbubul Alam also urged the Korean envoy to implement a flagship project in Chattogram as a memento of friendship between the two countries.