Bangladesh Translation, Interpretation, and Business Services Environment
Bangladesh's official language is Bengali (Bangla), with English also formally recognized in business and legal documents. However, Bengali dominates on factory floors, in government agencies, in courts, and in everyday commerce — making language barriers a primary challenge for Korean companies operating in the country.
Bangladesh has more than 3,000 Korean-speaking locals — a direct result of the Korean government's Employment Permit System (EPS) Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK). Of these, approximately 50–80 are qualified for professional interpretation and translation. In the business services sector (legal, accounting, consulting), Korean-affiliated, local, and global service providers are active, supporting Korean companies' local operations.
Service Provider Comparison: Korean-Affiliated vs. Local vs. Global
A comparison of three types of business service providers available to Korean companies in Bangladesh.
Key Translation, Interpretation, and Business Service Providers
A categorized directory of major translation, interpretation, and business service providers available to Korean companies in Bangladesh.
| Category | Provider | Services | Languages | Cost Level | Korean Company Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation | KOTRA Dhaka (interpretation support) | Buyer meeting interpretation | KO-EN-BN | Free–Low | ★★★★★ |
| Interpretation | Korea-BD Translation | Contract & technical document translation | KO-EN-BN | Mid | ★★★★☆ |
| Interpretation | Dhaka Interpreters | Simultaneous & consecutive interpretation | EN-BN | Mid | ★★★☆☆ |
| Legal | Lee & Associates (Korean-affiliated) | Company formation, labor, disputes | KO-EN | Mid-High | ★★★★★ |
| Legal | A.S. & Associates | Foreign investment, tax, disputes | EN-BN | Mid | ★★★★☆ |
| Legal | DFDL Bangladesh | Investment, M&A, finance law | EN | High | ★★★★☆ |
| Accounting | ACNABIN (local Big) | Audit, tax, advisory | EN-BN | Mid | ★★★★☆ |
| Accounting | A. Qasem & Co. (EY affiliate) | Audit, tax, IFRS | EN | Mid-High | ★★★★★ |
| Accounting | Hoda Vasi (KPMG affiliate) | Audit, advisory, transfer pricing | EN | Mid-High | ★★★★★ |
| Consulting | LightCastle Partners | Market research, strategy | EN | Mid-High | ★★★★☆ |
Interpretation and Translation Engagement Process
A guide to effectively engaging interpretation and translation services in Bangladesh.
Successful business operations in Bangladesh begin with overcoming the language barrier. Make maximum use of KOTRA Trade Center's free interpretation services, maintain a resident Korean-speaking staff member for long-term operations, and engage Big 4-affiliated local firms for legal and accounting needs. The quality of Bengali interpretation and translation ultimately determines success or failure in buyer meetings, contract negotiations, and government approvals.