Korean envoy meets Nanak, stresses boost in trade ties

South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh, Park Young-sik, yesterday met with Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak.

The discussion, which took place at the minister’s office in the Secretariat, focused on enhancing bilateral trade cooperation, according to a press release from the ministry.

Nanak said that South Korea is a key development partner of Bangladesh, particularly in the textile and apparel sectors, where Korean companies play a significant role.

He called for increased Korean investments in various development projects in Bangladesh. The minister also requested assistance in providing modern machinery to enhance production capabilities in the textile and garment sectors, as well as opportunities for training Bangladeshis.

He added, “Our future efforts will focus on increasing market diversity, product development, and technological advancement.”

The South Korean Ambassador, Park Young-sik, stated an intention to progressively enhance cooperation in the business sector.

“Efforts are being made to encourage Korean companies to invest further in Bangladesh to boost bilateral trade,” he said.

During discussions, the ambassador highlighted three key issues and sought cooperation on them:

• Firstly, the high tariffs on raw material imports, particularly concerning five products related to the textile and apparel sector. The ambassador requested the minister's assistance in reducing these tariffs.

• Secondly, visa-related issues where workers in Bangladesh face short visa durations, requiring them to apply for renewals every three months. The ambassador asked for the minister's help in addressing this issue.

• Thirdly, the ambassador sought the minister's assistance in streamlining customs clearance processes to avoid delays.

The Textile and Jute Minister assured the ambassador that the relevant ministries and departments would discuss these issues to find solutions.

Responding to a question from journalists present after the meeting with the ambassador, Nanak clarified misconceptions regarding the participation of ministers' and MPs' relatives in elections.

“The clarification came after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the issue to clear up any confusion,” he said.

“If a relative of a political leader rises through the ranks of politics, demonstrating both capability and a significant role, then they are certainly eligible to participate in elections,” he explained.

However, he cautioned against those who are not actively involved in politics suddenly appearing and taking up significant positions.

“Such practices should be avoided,” he added.