What Is KOTRA? Korea's Trade and Investment Promotion Agency
KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) is a trade and investment promotion organization under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, established in 1962. With over 60 years of history, KOTRA serves two core missions: supporting Korean companies' overseas expansion and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Korea, contributing to the global competitiveness of the Korean economy.
As of 2025, KOTRA operates 127 overseas trade offices (Korea Business Centers) across 86 countries worldwide, providing export support services to more than 60,000 Korean companies annually. The Dhaka Trade Office serves as a key South Asian hub, operating at the forefront of Korea-Bangladesh trade expansion.
Global Network: 127 Overseas Trade Offices
KOTRA's greatest strength is its worldwide network of overseas trade offices. Each office is staffed by trade specialists (Korean expatriates and local employees) who provide hands-on, market-embedded services including market research, buyer discovery, export consultations, and investment attraction.
| Region | Offices | Key Hubs | Specialized Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia & Oceania | 42 | Tokyo, Shanghai, Mumbai, Dhaka | Manufacturing/IT/Infrastructure |
| Europe | 28 | Frankfurt, London, Paris | Automotive/Machinery/Consumer goods |
| North America | 15 | Los Angeles, New York, Toronto | IT/Bio/Consumer goods |
| Latin America | 12 | São Paulo, Mexico City | Automotive/Energy/Agriculture |
| Middle East & Africa | 18 | Dubai, Johannesburg | Construction/Energy/Consumer goods |
| CIS | 12 | Moscow, Almaty | Energy/Construction/Food |
KOTRA's 5 Core Business Areas
KOTRA's operations are organized into five core areas. The agency provides tailored support systems calibrated to each company's growth stage, from first-time exporters to global enterprises.
Dhaka Trade Office: Bangladesh Business Hub
The KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office (Korea Business Center in Dhaka) is located in the Gulshan district of Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, and serves as the core hub for Korea-Bangladesh economic cooperation. It supports Korean companies' entry into Bangladesh while also facilitating Bangladeshi investment into Korea.
KOTRA Digital Platform Ecosystem
Alongside its offline trade office network, KOTRA provides 24/7 trade support services through online digital platforms. Companies can access global market intelligence and connect with buyers from their offices.
| Platform | Function | Users | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| buyKOREA | B2B online export platform | 500K+ buyers | buykorea.or.kr |
| TriBIG | AI big data trade statistics | 18,000+ companies | kotra.or.kr/bigdata |
| KOTRA Navi | Verified buyer discovery system | 8,500+ companies | Trade office exclusive |
| KOTRA Overseas Market News | Market trends from 86 countries | 1M+ monthly visits | news.kotra.or.kr |
| GBC Online | Online trade office consultation | 10,000+/year | gbc.kotra.or.kr |
KOTRA History and Future Outlook
Since its founding in 1962, KOTRA has accompanied Korea's export growth journey. From achieving $10 billion in exports (1977) to joining the $1 trillion trade club (2011) and ushering in the digital trade era (2020s), KOTRA has been present at every major milestone of the Korean economy. As of 2025, KOTRA is accelerating its transformation into an AI and big data-powered smart trade platform.
Its role in emerging markets is also expanding. As manufacturing bases diversify under China+1 strategies, Korean companies' interest in alternative production hubs such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India has surged, driving steadily growing demand for the Dhaka Trade Office's support services.