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Bangladesh has sought funding from South Korea for three major infrastructure projects, including the southern route of Dhaka’s MRT Line-5, the Matlab Uttar-Gazaria Bridge and the procurement of 260 broad-gauge passenger coaches.
The funding could come from the $3 billion Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) framework agreement between the two countries for 2023–2027.
A Bangladeshi delegation led by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury held discussions with officials of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and leading Korean companies during the second day of its visit to South Korea on Tuesday.
At a meeting with KEXIM Chairman and CEO Hwang Kyon, Bangladesh proposed a clear roadmap for utilising the remaining funds under the EDCF framework.
KEXIM said it was reviewing priority projects and would consider the three proposals in consultation with the relevant South Korean authorities.
As of December 31, 2025, loans worth $2.78 billion had been approved for 30 projects under the $3 billion framework agreement.
The finance minister also held a separate meeting with South Korea’s Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, Chang Ho, calling for stronger and more strategic bilateral relations.
Discussions also covered artificial intelligence, digital transformation, alternative financing and broader cooperation under the Integrated Growth and Development (IGnD) initiative supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
