2024 Korean Overseas Company Directory Overview
KOTRA publishes a yearly Overseas Korean Company Directory to consolidate local market entry conditions of Korean firms worldwide. In the 2024 Bangladesh edition, more than 120 Korean companies are registered, distributed across EPZs, economic zones, and non-zoned regions. Cumulative investment is estimated at around $1.5B, placing Bangladesh in the upper tier among emerging Asian markets, and local direct employment reaches about 80,000 workers.
Korean entry into Bangladesh began with garment and textile operations in the 1980s. After EPZ establishment in the 1990s, large-scale investment accelerated. Since the 2010s, activity has diversified into power, infrastructure, and ICT. Based on the 2024 directory, sector distribution is 45% textile/apparel, 15% electronics/appliances, 10% power/energy, 8% construction/infrastructure, and 22% in other industries. By region, Dhaka accounts for 40%, Chittagong EPZ 35%, Narayangonj 15%, and other areas 10%.
Sector Distribution and Major Companies
In the sector distribution of the 2024 directory, textile and apparel lead with 54 firms (45%), the largest share. This reflects Bangladeshs position as the worlds second-largest apparel exporter, and Korean garment firms began large-scale expansion in EPZs and non-zoned locations from the 1990s. The electronics/appliances segment has 18 registered firms, including Korea Electronics and Korea Display affiliates, producing TVs, refrigerators, washers, and smartphones through local assembly. In power and energy, firms such as KEPCO, Korea C&T, and Daelim carry out plant EPC and O&M projects. In construction and infrastructure, 10 firms are registered for major programs including metro rail, highways, and bridge construction.
| Sector | Number of Firms | Share (%) | Representative Firms | Investment ($M) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textile & apparel | 54 | 45% | Korea Trading, Korea Fashion B, Saha | 600 | 50,000 |
| Electronics & appliances | 18 | 15% | Korea Corp, 코리아디스플레이 and affiliates | 300 | 12,000 |
| Power & energy | 12 | 10% | KEPCO, Korea C&T | 250 | 3,000 |
| Construction & infrastructure | 10 | 8% | 코리아GS, Daelim, Korea Hanwha | 150 | 5,000 |
| Trade & distribution | 12 | 10% | General trading firms | 50 | 2,000 |
| ICT & finance | 8 | 7% | IT services and fintech | 80 | 3,000 |
| Others | 6 | 5% | Food, chemicals, logistics | 70 | 5,000 |
| Total | 120+ | 100% | — | 1,500 | 80,000 |
Regional Distribution and Entry Characteristics
In regional distribution, the most notable point is the Chittagong KEPZ (Korean Export Processing Zone). KEPZ is a Korean government-backed export processing zone in southern Chittagong, with 10 firms producing garments, knitwear, wigs, and electronic components. The zone applies Korean-style infrastructure and management systems, yielding higher power stability and logistics efficiency than many other EPZs. Of the 8 new entries in 2024, 5 chose Dhaka, 2 Chittagong, and 1 Sylhet. New entries are increasing in ICT, fintech, and food processing. Narayanganj and Gazipur, as Dhaka suburban industrial belts, cluster firms in heavy industries, chemicals, and construction materials.
Entry Trends and Implications
The 2024 Overseas Korean Company Directory in Bangladesh provides an integrated view of more than 120 firms operating in the market. Entry that began in garments and textiles in the 1980s has diversified into electronics and appliances, power and infrastructure, and ICT. With cumulative investment of $1.5B and 80,000 direct jobs, this ecosystem forms the foundation of Korea-Bangladesh economic interaction. Going forward, new growth momentum is expected from BEZA Mirsarai location expansion, ADB/WB infrastructure EPC contracts, and deeper digital and service entries, while KOTRA Daka one-stop support will continue to underpin company-level success.