What Bangladesh Infrastructure Roadshows Represent
The Bangladesh government is pursuing large-scale infrastructure investment toward its goal of becoming a developed country by 2041. To attract foreign company participation in this process, infrastructure project roadshows are held regularly, with Korea invited as a key partner country. Roadshows co-organized by KOTRA's Dhaka trade office and BIDA represent one of the most effective channels for Korean construction and engineering companies to enter the Bangladesh infrastructure market.
Bangladesh's infrastructure investment volume reaches approximately 8% of GDP annually, with more than 30 mega-projects underway as of 2025. Major projects including the Padma Bridge, Dhaka Metro Rail, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are completed or in progress, with a rich pipeline of follow-on projects in development.
Major Mega-Project Status
Bangladesh's infrastructure projects are categorized across four axes: transportation, power, ports, and economic zones. The following overview covers projects where Korean companies are participating or have opportunities to participate.
| Project | Sector | Scale | Status | Korean Participation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padma Bridge | Transportation | $3.6B | Completed | Indirect (materials) |
| Dhaka Metro Line 1 | Transportation | $2.7B | Operational | JICA-led |
| Matarbari Deep Sea Port | Port | $4.6B | Under construction | Open for participation |
| Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant | Power | $12.6B | Under construction | Russia-led |
| Bangladesh-China Economic Zone | Special Zone | $2.8B | In development | Under consideration |
| Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Railway | Transportation | $2.2B | Under construction | Open for participation |
| Payra Deep Sea Port | Port | $1.5B | Phase 1 complete | Phase 2 participation |
| Dhaka Elevated Expressway | Transportation | $1.8B | Planned | Bidding expected |
Korean Company Participation and Opportunities
Korean companies are participating in Bangladesh's infrastructure market with a focus on power, transportation, and water treatment. The Korea Eximbank EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) concessional loans, KOICA grant aid, and private company direct investment are the primary entry pathways.
Bidding Strategy and Practical Guide
Bangladesh infrastructure project bidding typically follows International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures, and adheres to either the Public Procurement Act (PPA) or multilateral development bank procurement guidelines depending on the procuring entity.
Outlook and Implications
Bangladesh's infrastructure market is expected to continue expanding over the next decade. Long-term investment plans under the government's Delta Plan 2100 and Perspective Plan 2041 are in place, and demand is growing in new areas including climate change adaptation infrastructure and digital infrastructure.
Infrastructure roadshows are a direct communication channel between the Bangladesh government and Korean companies. The keys to successful infrastructure market entry are securing project information early, building local networks, and developing strategies linked to public funding mechanisms such as EDCF.