Overview of Promising Infrastructure Projects
Under its 8th Five Year Plan (2021-2025), Bangladesh aims to raise infrastructure investment from 2% of GDP to 5%. Annual infrastructure spending is estimated at roughly $20-25B, distributed across power and energy (35%), transport (30%), urban development (20%), and water resources (15%). Multilateral development banks such as ADB, the World Bank, and JICA, along with bilateral ODA, remain the primary funding sources, while PPP structures are being expanded to attract more private capital.
From 2024 to 2028, projects with realistic participation potential for Korean companies are estimated at more than $15B. Priority areas include CCPP, nuclear power, and renewable energy in the power sector; railways, expressways, and metro systems in transport; new towns and smart cities in urban development; and wastewater treatment and flood management in water resources. Korea holds competitive strengths in power generation and transport systems and has also maintained a solid track record in ADB and World Bank ICB tenders.
Promising Projects in Power and Energy
Bangladesh's power demand is increasing by roughly 8-10% per year, and the country is targeting 40,000MW of generation capacity by 2030. As of 2023, installed capacity stood at around 25,000MW, but effective utilization was only 60-65%, leaving actual operating output at about 15,000-16,000MW. High-potential projects in this sector include a second-phase CCPP project ($200M), Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 ($3B+), 1,000MW of solar projects ($700M), and two LNG terminals ($400M).
| Sector | Project | Scale ($M) | Funding | Timing | Korean Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | CCPP Phase 2 (800MW) | 200 | ADB | 2024-25 | Company A bidding |
| Power | Rooppur Nuclear Unit 2 | 3,000+ | Russian credit | Ongoing | Equipment exports |
| Power | 1,000MW Solar Program | 700 | GCF, ADB | 2024-28 | Company D execution record |
| Transport | Dhaka Metro Line 2 | 2,700 | JICA | 2025-30 | Korean participation under review |
| Transport | Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway | 4,500 | ADB, WB | 2025-30 | JV formation |
| Urban | Bangabandhu New City | 1,500 | PPP | 2024-30 | Linked to BSMSN |
| Water | Dhaka Wastewater Treatment (6 sites) | 500 | ADB, WB | 2024-28 | EPC tender |
| Total | — | 13,100+ | — | — | — |
Transport and Urban Development Projects
The most closely watched transport project is the Dhaka Metro program. With six lines (MRT 1-6) and a total estimated scale of $15B, it represents the country's flagship urban mobility investment; MRT Line 6 entered service in 2022. MRT Line 1, including the airport corridor, is under construction with JICA funding, creating clear export potential for Korean rolling stock and signaling systems. The Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway, valued at $4.5B, is one of the largest transport projects in Bangladesh and is expected to produce major ICB opportunities supported by ADB and the World Bank, making JV participation by Korean construction firms a realistic option. In urban development, the $1.5B Bangabandhu New City project is being advanced under the BSMSN master plan and could benefit from Korea's experience in Sejong and other new-town developments.
Participation Strategy and Risk Management
Promising infrastructure projects in Bangladesh represent more than $15B in opportunities during 2024-2028 and create substantial potential for Korean contractors, equipment suppliers, and system integrators. The core opportunity areas are power generation, transport infrastructure, urban development, and water management, with MDB-backed ICB tenders and PPP structures standing out as the most practical entry channels. A combined strategy built around EPC plus equipment packages, local JV structures, exportable K-City models, and long-term O&M contracts offers the strongest path to sustainable market participation while keeping project risk under control.