State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir will leave for Seoul tonight on a two-day official visit, carrying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s invitation to the President of the Republic of Korea to visit Bangladesh.

“During the visit, I will convey an invitation from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the President of Korea to visit Bangladesh,” he told journalists at the foreign ministry here today after Korean Ambassador Kim Ji-joon paid a courtesy call on him.

The State Minister said the visit, one of his first overseas assignments since assuming office, is aimed at laying the groundwork for stronger political and economic engagement between Dhaka and Seoul.

During his stay in Seoul, Humaiun is scheduled to hold meetings with Korea’s First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister for Trade, Deputy Minister for National Defence and the chairman of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

“South Korea is a priority bilateral partner for us, and we aim to strengthen this relationship further,” he said.

The State Minister also placed particular emphasis on making greater use of the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), describing it as an “excellent EPZ model” that had not been properly utilised over the past 15 years.

Humaiun alleged that the ousted Sheikh Hasina government did not properly utilise the KEPZ because the project had been initiated during an earlier BNP government, describing it as an example of “political vendetta”.

“The Korean EPZ is such a fine project, but simply due to political vendetta … because it was initiated during the previous BNP government … the Sheikh Hasina government did not utilise it,” he said.

The State Minister alleged that such an approach had harmed the country and its economy, while accusing the previous government of damaging institutions.

“Such a sick mentality harmed the country and its economy. They tried to ruin and loot every institution in the country. But the people rejected and ousted them,” Humaiun said.

He said the present government would continue and advance initiatives that serve the national interest.

“Now, God willing, the country is being led by patriots. Whatever is beneficial for the country, this government will continue and advance it,” he added.

Humaiun said the government now intends to utilise the KEPZ more effectively and expand business with the Republic of Korea, particularly as employment generation remains one of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s key priorities.

“We are emphasising international investments that will create job opportunities domestically,” he said.

Humaiun said Bangladesh sees extensive opportunities for cooperation with Korea in trade, investment, skilled manpower, shipbuilding, technology and project financing.

He said his visit would help further strengthen Korea’s position as one of Bangladesh’s priority economic and trade partners.

Earlier, during his meeting with Ambassador Kim, the State Minister said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its longstanding and close relations with the Republic of Korea.

The two sides discussed growing cooperation in trade, investment, development cooperation, human resource development and technology.

Ambassador Kim welcomed the initiative to personally convey the Prime Minister’s invitation to the Korean President, describing it as a “very positive step” towards further strengthening bilateral relations.

Humaiun said his Seoul visit would primarily pave the way for further engagements and set the ground for increased ministerial-level exchanges between the two countries.

He said Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister is likely to visit Korea in the coming days, followed by the Finance Minister later this month or in early November.

The State Minister also welcomed progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), saying it is nearing the final stage and expressing hope that the agreement would further expand bilateral trade and investment.

Asked about prospects for fresh Korean investment, Humaiun said attracting investment would be one of the major objectives of his visit.

He said Korean investors have shown interest in several sectors, including shipbuilding, technology, artificial intelligence, space-related cooperation, skilled manpower and project financing.

The State Minister said his visit would serve as a foundation for further strengthening Bangladesh-Korea relations under the new government and pave the way for more high-level engagements in the coming days.

The Korean Ambassador, meanwhile, appreciated the growing partnership and expressed Seoul’s interest in further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening Bangladesh-Korea relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, said a foreign ministry’s press release meanwhile.