Hasina holds talks with South Korean PM

South Korea shows interest in invest in Bangladesh

News - Hasina holds talks with South Korean PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her South Korean counterpart Chung Hong-won had a meeting here on Sunday and discussed bilateral issues, including problems in Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Bangladesh.

During the meeting held at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel in the afternoon, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won showed keen interest to invest more in Bangladesh and discussed the ways for resolving problems in KEPZ.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Bangladesh has taken the issue seriously and is trying to solve the matter taking into consideration interests of the two countries.

The two leaders arrived here earlier in the day to attend the two-day 2nd Asia Pacific Water Summit.

As the trade volume between the two countries is heavily in favour of South Korea, Hasina sought more Korean investment in various sectors to strike a balance in the bilateral trade.

In 2012, Bangladesh imported goods worth US$ 1460 million from South Korea while the Bangladesh’s export to the country amounted to only US$ 295 million.

Hasina also urged the Korean leader to invest in textile, jute, infrastructure, power, energy, ICT, leather, deep sea fishing and shipbuilding sectors, and showed interest in Korean experience, knowledge and technology to promote green economy.

The Prime Minister thanked South Korea for taking Bangladeshi nationals under employment permit system and hoped that more Bangladeshis would have the opportunity to work in South Korea in the future.

In response, the South Korean Prime Minister appreciated the leadership of Sheikh Hasina for ensuring fast progress of Bangladesh saying that a bright future is awaiting the country if such leadership continues. He said Bangladesh has immense potentials for business promotion and prosper further.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also invited Korean Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh. Receiving her invitation, Chung Hong-won said he would visit Bangladesh at a convenient time in near future.

Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaikh Md Wahid Uz Zaman, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, were present on the occasion.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in honour of the heads of delegation at Wiang Kum Kam historical site.

Source: UNB Connect