State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Humaiun Kobir travelled to Seoul on 1 October 2026 to meet senior leadership of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and discuss ways to deepen Bangladesh‑ROK cooperation.
During the meeting, the minister expressed gratitude to KOICA for the US$39 million Saemaul Plus End Poverty Programme, highlighting its impact on poverty alleviation in Bangladesh.
Both parties explored further collaboration on water security and climate‑resilience initiatives, recognising the shared challenges posed by flooding and rising sea levels.
The discussion also covered skills development, with the minister proposing employment‑oriented technical education programmes and the expansion of digital health services to improve public‑sector delivery.
KOICA’s Vice President Ms. Doh Young‑Ah welcomed the idea of larger‑scale, integrated programmes in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital public services, signalling readiness to align with Bangladesh’s development agenda.
A key request from the Bangladeshi side was early Korean concurrence on financing the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, aiming to accelerate urban mobility.
KOICA responded positively, stating its willingness to explore new programmes that match Bangladesh’s priorities and leverage Korea’s development expertise.
Why it matters
The cooperation promises additional funding and expertise for Bangladesh’s water security, climate resilience and MRT projects, advancing national development priorities.