He made these remarks as the chief guest at a dinner hosted in honour of South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmood Bin Harun, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Mohammad Shahriar Kader Siddiky, among other senior officials, were present at the event. Commerce Ministry Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan delivered the welcome speech.
The commerce minister said South Korea has set a unique example of economic development in a short span of time. The country's experience is highly important for expanding Bangladesh's industrialisation, trade and investment.
He further said the Bangladesh-Korea relationship, which began with development cooperation, has now turned into a partnership of trade, investment, industrialisation, innovation and shared prosperity. On the eve of LDC graduation, the CEPA agreement will deepen and diversify bilateral economic cooperation.
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, referring to Bangladesh as his 'second hometown', said Bangladesh's economy, industrial base and large market have created huge opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment.
Recalling his work experience in Chattogram, he said it is on the basis of that experience that he has prioritised early completion of the Bangladesh-South Korea trade agreement negotiations.
He said the proposed CEPA will further strengthen investment and economic partnership between the two countries over the next two decades. It will also create a stable and predictable legal framework, which will take trade and investment cooperation to new heights.
He urged the business community to make the most of the agreement and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality of the government and people of Bangladesh.
At the event, the commerce minister praised the dedication and professionalism of officials, negotiators, technical experts and stakeholders of both countries involved in the Bangladesh-Korea CEPA talks. He expressed hope that after completion of the remaining legal and formal processes, the agreement would be formally signed in the near future, further strengthening the economic relations between the two countries.
