Seoul, 16 June 2021.
A webinar titled ‘Bangladesh and ROK: Trade and Investment Opportunities’, organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul was held on 16th June 2021 at 1100 hrs in Dhaka time and at 1400 hrs in Seoul time. It discussed and exchanged views on the existing trend of bilateral cooperation especially in Pharmaceutical and Bio Industry including the ICT sector as well as charting future course of action in expanding cooperation in these thriving sectors. Dr. Mostafa Abid Khan, Former-Member, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission was the keynote speaker of the webinar.
H.E. Mr. Salman Fazlur Rahman, MP, Hon’ble Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister on Private Investment and Industry graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. During his deliberation, he reflected on the achievements and potentials of Bangladesh in the sectors and provided guidance, recommendations and future directions of engagements in promoting cooperation in Pharmaceutical, Bio Industry and the ICT sector.
Guest of Honour of the webinar, H.E. Mr. Lee Jang-keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh highlighted the existing challenges in bilateral trade and investment and called upon the relevant businessmen and investors of both the countries to explore opportunities and tap potentials of the above sectors to further deepen the existing bilateral relationship.
The virtual meeting was participated by the dignitaries and representatives of the government and other trade bodies of both Bangladesh & the Republic of Korea.
The distinguished panellists of the webinar from Bangladesh side included- Mr. Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Mr. Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Ms. Sultana Afroz, Secretary & CEO, Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), Major General Md. Nazrul Islam, SPP, ndu, awfc, psc, G, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), Mr. Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, Managing Director (Secretary) Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, Mr. ParthaPratim Deb, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council , Mr. Md. Jashim Uddin, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FBBCI) and Mr. Syed Almas Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS).
Speakers from the Korea side were Mr. Hong Kwang Hee, President of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), Mr. Hakhee JO, Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Mr. Kihak Sung, Chairman of the Youngone Corporation.
The Bio and Pharmaceutical sectors of Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea were represented by Mr. Abdul Muktadir, Chairman, INCEPTA Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Mr. ArifDowla, Group Managing Director, ACI Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Professor Keeseon S. Eom, President of the International Parasite Resource Bank, Mr. JeyKey Lee, Director, GIG International Co. Ltd. and Mr. Choi Sun-hee, CAC Trading Co. Ltd.
Representatives of the ICT related companies from both the countries like Mr. Lee Jangho, General Manager, Samsung S1 Corporation, Mr. Enayetur Rahman, CEO, ULKASEMI, Mr. M N Islam, CEO, TiCon System Ltd. also spoke during the webinar. Representative from the HSBC Bank, Dhaka Mr. Shadab Hossain also made important contributions during the Seminar.
The speakers took stock of the existing bilateral economic cooperation particularly in the ICT, pharmaceuticals and bio industry sectors and underscored the need to foster more collaborative engagements in those thriving sectors with an aim to further deepen and strengthen the existing partnership.
Ambassador Abida Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Republic of Korea moderated the webinar.