Desk Report: South Korea has become an extraordinary development and investment partner of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday, as Chairman and CEO of Korea Export-Import Bank Yoon Hee-sung Sung called on her at her Parliament office. 

She expressed gratitude to the Korean Government for their assistance that elevated to six billion USD from approximately 300-400 million USD in 5 years, said Prime Minister's Assistant Press Secretary ABM Sarwer-e-Alom Sarker while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Sheikh Hasina thanked Yoon for signing the agreement on financing the construction of Rail-cum-Road Bridge across the River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat Point, Chattogram Project.

"The bridge would surely solve the traffic problems of Chattogram city and create a wide corridor for the Matarbari (Sonadia) deep sea port for South Asia, South East Asia and particularly the Northeastern part of India," she said.

The premier thanked them for their concessional financing of significant projects in Bangladesh. She also recalled her two visits to the Republic of Korea.

During her visit in 2010, Sheikh Hasina graciously recalled that she called the Republic "a special friend" deeply involved in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

The chairman and CEO of Korea Exim Bank expressed gratitude for meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in person and expressed great satisfaction for his fruitful visit to Dhaka.

He considered his visit the most exciting as he saw Bangladesh's ongoing masterpiece development journey.

Yoon underscored the importance of Bangladesh's growing GDP, ongoing development trajectory, and socio-economic development, which have been well maintained despite the ongoing global economic and political challenges, including the COVID-19 corona virus pandemic.

He praised Sheikh Hasina's efforts to reduce poverty and graduation from LDC completely by 2026.

Yoon reaffirmed his commitment to promoting Korean trade and investment in Bangladesh, a pledge that holds significant promise for the future economic prospects of both countries.

The Korean delegation expressed satisfaction in supporting Bangladesh with six billion USD to finance development projects and programs from 2023 to 2027 under EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) and EDPF (Economic Development Promotion Fund).

They also expressed their interest in extending cooperation and financing in skilled human resources development in Bangladesh.

Yoon highlighted the mutual benefits of this cooperation as Bangladesh has a good number of youths as human resource, while South Korea has been facing growing challenges due to its increasing aging population.

He expressed hope that both countries can complement each other to overcome this challenge, which eventually helps both countries' socio-economic development, instilling a sense of positivity in the audience about the potential outcomes of this cooperation.

Yoon also expressed his keen interest in further developing and strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh, a gesture that Sheikh Hasina warmly received.

The prime minister recalled her meeting with him on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in India in September 2023.

She reiterated her commitment to widening and deepening the existing relationship with South Korea, ensuring a promising future for the two peoples.

Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, State Minister for Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Principal Secretary Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky were present at the meeting.

Biniyougbarta/SAM//