What EIPP Is: The Core Route into Bangladesh Infrastructure Projects
EIPP (Economic and Infrastructure Project Proposal) is the list of economic and infrastructure projects that the Government of Bangladesh presents to foreign companies and governments. It is prepared jointly by BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) and relevant ministries, and it functions as the official channel for attracting ODA (official development assistance) financing and private investment.
For Korean companies, EIPP is the most structured pathway into Bangladesh's infrastructure market. Projects included in EIPP reflect the priorities of the Bangladesh government and therefore have a relatively high probability of linkage with Korean ODA institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea (EDCF) and KOICA. Currently, the EIPP list contains more than 20 projects with a combined value of over USD 10 billion.
Analysis of Key EIPP Projects
The current EIPP list includes projects in five major sectors: transport and infrastructure, energy and power, ICT and digital systems, water and environment, and urban development. Each project is proposed by a Bangladesh government ministry or agency and then formally presented by BIDA to foreign governments and investors.
| Project | Sector | Scale | Agency | Korean Linkage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Ring Expressway | Transport | $2.5B | Ministry of Road Transport | Under EDCF review |
| Dhaka Sewerage Expansion | Water | $800M | Dhaka WASA | EDCF approved |
| LNG Import Terminal Unit 3 | Energy | $600M | Petrobangla | BOT participation possible |
| Digital Education Platform | ICT | $200M | Ministry of Education | Under KOICA review |
| Cox's Bazar Solar Project | Energy | $300M | SREDA | PPP bidding possible |
| Dhaka Metro Line 5 | Transport | $2.2B | DMTCL | ADB/EDCF cooperation |
| Payra Power Plant Expansion | Energy | $1.5B | CPGCBL | EPC participation possible |
| National E-Government System | ICT | $150M | ICT Division | KOICA cooperation |
Korea's ODA Footprint in Bangladesh
Korea is one of Bangladesh's important ODA partners, providing more than USD 500 million per year through concessional loans from EDCF and grants from KOICA. Bangladesh is also one of the largest beneficiaries of Korea's EDCF program, with cumulative approved financing exceeding USD 2.5 billion.
EIPP Participation Process and Practical Workflow
For Korean companies to join EIPP-linked projects, they typically need to navigate several steps, including EDCF approval by Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance, local market support from KOTRA Dhaka, and project appraisal by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. Understanding the full chain helps companies improve their execution efficiency and bidding readiness.
Sector-Specific Participation Opportunities
| Sector | Representative Projects | Korean Strength | Participation Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport and Roads | Ring roads, bridges | Korea Expressway Corp. and builders | EDCF EPC |
| Water and Environment | Sewerage, water treatment | K-water and environmental firms | EDCF/KOICA |
| Energy | LNG, solar, power plants | KEPCO and public energy firms | PPP/EDCF |
| ICT | E-government, digital education | KT, Samsung SDS | KOICA/EDCF |
| Urban Development | Smart cities, new towns | LH and builders | EDCF/PPP |
| Health and Medical | Hospitals, medical devices | Medical device suppliers | KOICA grants |
EIPP and ODA are the two main pillars of entry into Bangladesh's infrastructure market. If Korean companies use EDCF tied loans and KOICA technical cooperation strategically, they can materially strengthen their competitiveness in large-scale infrastructure projects. The practical priority is to make active use of local intelligence from KOTRA Dhaka and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, then build a long-horizon project development strategy rather than pursuing isolated bids.