The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Dhaka is expanding its role in Bangladesh beyond trade and investment promotion, with a particular focus on supporting new town development through infrastructure feasibility studies, smart-city solutions, and Korean expertise. Deputy Director of KOTRA Dhaka Lee Sung-hoon (Daniel Lee) revealed that KOTRA is currently working to facilitate Korean participation in Bangladesh's infrastructure and new town development projects.
As part of this initiative, KOTRA launched an official development assistance (ODA) project worth approximately US$3.5 million in March to conduct feasibility studies for six infrastructure projects supporting new town development in Bangladesh over the next three years. Lee identified six key areas, including water supply, renewable energy, e-logistics, and waste treatment, for the development of the NSEZ smart city under Korea's Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP).
Lee emphasized that the initiative reflects KOTRA's growing role as a business developer connecting Korean companies with Bangladesh in emerging sectors, including infrastructure, smart cities, transport, railways, ports, water management, power, AI, and ICT. KOTRA's activities include identifying buyers, arranging business meetings for Korean companies, supporting bids for infrastructure and ICT projects, and advising Korean companies seeking to establish operations in Bangladesh.
KOTRA Dhaka and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea jointly organized an infrastructure and AI roadshow in June, bringing together around 40 Korean companies and 22 Bangladeshi government agencies and public organizations. The roadshow covered a wide range of areas, including transport, power, water, smart cities, digital government, industrial modernization, and regulatory compliance in the garment sector.
Lee noted that KOTRA's activities in Bangladesh have their roots in the development of the country's ready-made garment (RMG) industry. In 1978, Korea's Daewoo entered Bangladesh's garment sector through a joint venture with the government, and Bangladeshi workers received training in sewing techniques and factory management at Korean production facilities before returning home and spreading their knowledge across the local industry.
Today, KOTRA Dhaka's activities cover a broad range of sectors, including consumer goods, public procurement, roads, transport, railways, ports, AI, ICT, green and carbon-reduction projects, and ODA-related development initiatives. Lee said KOTRA supports Korean companies by identifying business opportunities, facilitating contacts with Bangladeshi buyers and public agencies, organizing business meetings, operating Korean pavilions at local exhibitions, and providing market-entry support.
