Bangladesh Economic Snapshot 2025
Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies in South Asia, representing a major market with a GDP of approximately $460 billion and a population of approximately 170 million in 2025. The World Bank has characterized Bangladesh as "a model of frontier market growth," and economic structural transformation is accelerating as the country prepares to graduate from LDC status in 2026.
This databook provides a one-stop reference by consolidating the critical data required for Korean company entry into the Bangladesh market across four axes: economic status, sector-by-sector opportunities, bilateral MOU status, and infrastructure project pipeline.
Sector-by-Sector Entry Opportunity Analysis
Korean company opportunities in the Bangladesh market fall broadly into four categories: (1) leveraging the country as a manufacturing base, (2) winning infrastructure and plant projects, (3) entering the consumer goods market, and (4) ICT and services cooperation. The following covers market size, key players, and Korean company entry status across each sector.
| Sector | Market Size | CAGR | Number of Korean Companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garments and Textiles | $47B (exports) | 7% | Approx. 150 |
| Construction and Infrastructure | $35B | 8.5% | Approx. 25 |
| Power and Energy | $12B | 10% | Approx. 15 |
| Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare | $4.5B | 12% | Approx. 5 |
| ICT | $2B (exports) | 15% | Approx. 10 |
| Consumer Goods and Distribution | $18B | 9% | Approx. 30 |
| Cosmetics and Beauty | $800M | 14% | Approx. 20 |
| Food and Agriculture | $32B | 6% | Approx. 8 |
Korea-Bangladesh MOU Status
A wide range of MOUs have been signed between Korea and Bangladesh at the government, public institution, and private company levels. KOTRA's Dhaka trade office facilitated 8 new MOUs in 2024 alone, and a cumulative total of 40+ MOUs are being converted into substantive business.
| Sector | Number of MOUs | Key Partners | Implementation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure and Construction | 12 MOUs | LGED, RHD, BWDB | 8 in implementation |
| Energy and Power | 8 MOUs | BPDB, PGCB | 6 in implementation |
| ICT and Digital | 6 MOUs | BCC, Hi-Tech Park | 4 in implementation |
| Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare | 5 MOUs | DGDA, BAPI | 3 in implementation |
| Textiles and Garments | 4 MOUs | BGMEA, BKMEA | 4 in implementation |
| Education and Human Resources | 3 MOUs | University of Dhaka, BUET | 3 in implementation |
| Agriculture and Food | 2 MOUs | DAE, BFSA | 2 in implementation |
Infrastructure Project Pipeline
The Bangladesh government is driving large-scale infrastructure investment toward its goal of becoming a developed country by 2041. The Annual Development Programme (ADP) budget stands at approximately $23 billion, with active financing from international financial institutions including ADB, the World Bank, JICA, and EDCF.
Entry Checklist
Korean companies preparing for Bangladesh market entry should take a systematic approach using the step-by-step checklist below. KOTRA's Dhaka trade office, BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority), and the Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce are the primary support channels.
The Bangladesh market offers an attractive combination of a large population, high growth rate, and diverse sector opportunities. That said, a phased, long-term approach is essential, with realistic challenges such as foreign exchange risk, infrastructure deficiencies, and bureaucracy factored in.