As it has been over the last half a century, South Korea will continue to be by the side of Bangladesh in the next half a century, for the welcoming in of a future of even fuller promise, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun.
“We will be the most trusted friend to Bangladesh, together ushering in a shining future,” he said in a video message, congratulating the Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence.
The prime minister said Korea and Bangladesh have continued to nurture the ties of friendship over the last nearly half a century since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1973.
“In 2017, I had the honor to visit Bangladesh as the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. Such a visit was an excellent opportunity to bolster the bonds of friendship between our two countries and deepen the ties of cooperation.
“And I am delighted to connect with you again through this video message in this very meaningful year of 2021. Korea and Bangladesh share common ground: we both have the proud legacy of triumphing over colonial rule.
“The noble sacrifice of the Father of the Nation, late President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who devoted his life to the struggle for the independence of Bengali nation and to secure the Bengali language as the national language, reminds us of the sweat and blood of our ancestors who were martyrs for the protection and building of our nation.
“Bangladesh, with its remarkable economic development and rapid emergence in the heart of Asia, is echoing the Miracle on the Han River.
“The international community has been deeply impressed to see that Bangladesh, even in the midst of the covid pandemic when the world economy has slowed down, succeeded in achieving the greatest level of economic growth.
“And there are great expectations that Bangladesh will take further tremendous strides forward, as it is anticipated to graduate from the LDC status in 2026. The Republic of Korea will be a trusted friend to Bangladesh in moving forward to embrace the future together,” read the message.
“There are already more than 200 Korean companies operating in Bangladesh contributing to the economic development of our two countries. The areas of cooperation, which had been more focused on the textiles and garment industry, have expanded to encompass a diverse range of fields such as ICT, construction, energy and culture, thereby creating more windows of opportunity.
“Recently the Korean Export Processing Zone, which is a symbol of bilateral economic cooperation, has embarked on a project to build a Hi-Tech Park with the Bangladesh government. I am confident that this Park will emerge as a hub for ICT-centric innovative growth in tune with the digital transformation in the post-Covid era.
“I have every confidence that Bangladesh, with the benefit of the vision and leadership of Her Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as it takes this remarkable path of astounding development, will shape an even more shining future of greater prosperity,” the prime minister said.
