FKI, Youngone host Bangladesh delegation to boost trade, investment

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and South Korean apparel manufacturer Youngone have hosted a high-level Bangladeshi delegation in Seoul to explore opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment.

Bangladesh Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury attended a dinner hosted by the two organisations at FKI Tower in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Monday (2 November), reports The Korea JoongAng Daily

He is visiting South Korea until Friday.

Youngone Holdings CEO and Vice Chairperson Sung Rae-eun described Bangladesh as a valued business partner with longstanding economic ties to South Korea.

“Bangladesh is a valued business partner that grew along with us for a long time and a country we share a special bond with,” she said.

“Building on that trust, I hope this visit will vitalise exchanges between the two countries’ business communities, open up new opportunities for cooperation and become a stepping stone towards sustainable shared growth,” she added.

The dinner brought together senior officials from both countries, including Bangladesh’s adviser to the prime minister, special assistant to the prime minister and secretary of the Economic Relations Division at the Ministry of Finance. Bangladeshi Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil also attended.

South Korean participants included Youngone Chairman Sung Ki-hak, FKI Executive Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom and Export-Import Bank of Korea President Hwang Ki-yeon. OCI Holdings Chairman Lee Woo-hyun, Hanjin President Cho Hyun-min and SK Gas CEO Yoon Byung-suk were also present.

Participants discussed Bangladesh’s economic growth prospects and emerging business opportunities for South Korean companies, focusing on strengthening commercial ties and expanding investment.

During the visit, the delegation is also scheduled to meet South Korean Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Trade Minister Park Jung-sung.

The delegation will also meet executives from leading South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, SK hynix, LG Electronics, Hanwha Ocean and Naver. It is also scheduled to visit LG AI Research, AI chip startup FuriosaAI and the Port of Busan.

Youngone is a major outdoor apparel manufacturer that also operates The North Face business in South Korea. The company has maintained a longstanding presence in Bangladesh, where it established the country’s first foreign-invested garment factory in 1980, marking an early milestone in South Korean investment in the country’s apparel sector.