Industry Distribution of Korean Companies in Bangladesh: A Directory-Based Analysis
Korean Companies in Bangladesh: An Industry Map of More Than 200 Firms
According to the 2024 directory of overseas Korean companies, more than 200 Korean firms operate in Bangladesh, generating local employment of over 100,000 workers. Garments and textiles still account for the overwhelming share, but Korean business activity has recently diversified into IT, trading, construction, and food-related sectors.
Bangladesh is South Asia's largest production base for Korean companies after Vietnam. In garments and textiles in particular, it hosts more Korean firms than any country except China. Based on directory data, this article reviews sector distribution, business scale, geographic concentration, and recent entry patterns.
200+
Korean Companies
Directory listings
100K+
Local Employment
Mostly garments
65%
Garments & Textiles
130+ firms
12%
Trade & Distribution
25+ firms
8%
IT & Services
15+ firms
5%
Construction & Infra
10+ firms
5%
Manufacturing
10+ firms
5%
Others
Food, education, more
Detailed Analysis by Industry
The sector mix of Korean companies in Bangladesh remains heavily concentrated in the RMG value chain, but non-garment investment has increased noticeably over the past five years.
Breakdown of Korean Corporate Presence by Industry
Industry
No. of Firms
Share
Representative Companies
Average Employment
Garments (CMT/FOB)
100+
50%
Korea Trading, SQ Group
500-5,000
Yarn, Fabric, Dyeing
30+
15%
Kyungbang, Dongil Spinning
200-1,000
Trading & Buying Offices
25+
12%
Korea C&T, 코리아디스플레이 International
10-50
IT & Software
15+
8%
SI firms, startups
20-100
Construction & Engineering
10+
5%
Korea Construction C, Korea Construction B
50-300
Manufacturing (Non-Textile)
10+
5%
Shoes, wigs, bags
200-1,000
Food & F&B
5+
2%
Korean restaurants, processors
10-50
Other Services
5+
3%
Logistics, language institutes
5-30
Deep Dive into Garment and Textile Companies
Most Korean garment and textile companies in Bangladesh are located in industrial belts near Dhaka, especially Gazipur, Ashulia, and Narayanganj. The corporate base ranges from large conglomerates such as Korea Trading and SQ Group to small and medium-sized exporters, typically serving global buyers such as H&M, Nike, and Gap through FOB export models.
Examples of Large Investors
Korea Trading Corp.Largest Korean employer, 50K workers
SQ GroupKorean-origin integrated textile group
KyungbangYarn and fabric production
Shin ShinFootwear supplier to Nike
Typical SME Entry Pattern
Mode of Entry70% wholly owned
Average Investment$2M-$5M
Main ProductsKnit and woven apparel
Key BuyersH&M, Zara, Gap, etc.
Regional Distribution
Korean firms are concentrated in the greater Dhaka industrial zone, including Gazipur, Ashulia, and Narayanganj, which together account for about 70% of the total. Chittagong export processing zones represent about 20%, while other regions account for the remaining 10%.
Geographic Footprint of Korean Companies in Bangladesh
Greater Dhaka
Gazipur and Ashulia (70%)
→↓
Chittagong EPZ
CEPZ and KEPZ (20%)
→↓
Narayanganj
Dyeing and textile clusters
→↓
Other Regions
Mirzapur, Tangail, more (10%)
→↓
Dhaka City
Trading, IT, and service offices
Entry Trends and New Opportunities
01
Expansion Beyond Garments
Over the past five years, Korean participation in IT, construction, food, and logistics has increased visibly. Bangladesh's digital transition, infrastructure expansion, and consumer-market growth are opening new paths outside apparel. Korean construction and engineering firms participating in EDCF-linked projects such as the Dhaka MRT are especially active.
02
Upgrading of Existing Apparel Operations
Many garment investors are moving from CMT to FOB and then toward ODM. Green-factory certification, factory automation, and ESG compliance have become central priorities, creating demand for Korean machinery, automation equipment, and sustainability consulting.
03
Rising Interest in Special Economic Zones
As the Bangladeshi government advances plans for 100 economic zones, discussions around a Korean-focused industrial platform continue. Building on the CEPZ and KEPZ track record, Bangladesh could support more cluster-style entry by Korean SMEs.
04
More Local Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Compared with earlier years, new entrants are increasingly considering joint ventures with local partners rather than only wholly owned investment. This is particularly relevant in non-garment sectors where local distribution channels and networks can accelerate market entry.
05
Promising New Sectors
Potential areas for future Korean entry include EV components and batteries, edtech and digital learning, eco-friendly chemicals, cold-chain and food processing, and fintech and digital payments. In these sectors, policy support and market demand are expanding at the same time.
Korean investment in Bangladesh is broadening from its historical textile base into a more diversified industrial footprint. The local infrastructure, business networks, and market knowledge built by more than 200 Korean firms now form a meaningful foundation for new entrants. Companies considering Bangladesh should actively leverage the Korean business community and KOTRA Dhaka to reduce execution risk.