High Level Visits from Bangladesh

Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 16 to 18 May 2010 at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage were received by President Lee Myung-bak and senior officials and were accorded a warm welcome reflecting the close friendship and ties between the two governments and peoples. President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held official talks in a cordial atmosphere and exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

High Level Visits from the Republic of Korea

Former Prime Minister Lee Young-duk visited Bangladesh in 2-4 September 1994 followed by the visit of former Prime Minister Kim Suk-soo from 8-10 November 2002. After 17 years, Prime Minister H.E. Lee-Nak-yon visited Bangladesh from 13-15 July 2019 which visit created a momentum in the bilateral relationship.  He was accompanied by a high level delegation, including a business delegation.

Bilateral Consultations Mechanism

With a view to further strengthen the political ties and to continue with regular exchange of dialogues, a standing mechanism of foreign office consultations (FOC) headed by Foreign Secretary/Vice Minister is in place since 2009. The 2nd FOC took place in 2014.  Three Joint Economic Commission meetings led by the Foreign Ministers of both the countries were so far held between the two countries. The Joint Economic Commission meeting aims to review progress in the areas of cooperation and also to explore further areas of cooperation between the two countries. The last Joint Economic Commission meeting took place on 08-11 December 1993.

Development Cooperation

Korean involvement in the development sector of Bangladesh continued to expand at a gradual pace. Korea continued to hold its position as a major foreign investor in Bangladesh. The ROK provides ODA to share its development experience with other developing countries in the world. As a bilateral development partner, it provides this ODA in the form of a grant through KOICA ( Korea International Cooperation Agency ) and soft loans through EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation’s Fund) conducted by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Exim Bank) to the priority areas of Bangladesh like- Health, ICT, Education, Water Treatment, Energy and Transport, etc .