Trade & Business

2025 KOTRA Dhaka Performance Assessment Reply: 2026 Five Key Keywords Strategy

2025 Performance Assessment Reply — 2026 Key Keywords: Dhaka Trade Office Strategic Direction

This document was submitted by the KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office in response to the annual office performance assessment process, specifically the 2026 key keyword reply request from KOTRA headquarters. The performance assessment is a core indicator that measures each trade office's business outcomes through both quantitative and qualitative metrics, and the key keywords serve as a concise expression of the strategic direction and core outcomes for the coming year.

In 2025, the Dhaka Trade Office achieved an overall A grade — the top-performing result among South Asia trade offices. With export consultations of 235 cases (118% of target), buyer matching of 62 cases (124%), and export deals of $18.2M (121%), 5 out of 6 major indicators exceeded targets. In 2026, the office pursues a medium-to-long-term strategy centered on 5 key keywords toward achieving the $5B trade roadmap.

2025
Assessment Year
2025 performance review
2026 keywords
Submission Scope
Next-year strategic direction
5
Core Keywords
Strategic direction
12
Performance KPIs
Quantitative results
Grade A
Overall Grade
South Asia #1
$18.2M
Export Deals
2025 actual (121% of target)
$5B
2030 Target
Korea-BD bilateral trade
$2.8B
2026 Target
Up from current $2.2B

2026 Five Key Keywords — Strategic Direction

01
Keyword 1: $5 Billion Export Roadmap — 2026 Milestone $2.8B
A medium-to-long-term roadmap to grow Korea-Bangladesh bilateral trade from $2.2B (2024) to $5B by 2030. The 2026 target is $2.8B, with four core export expansion items — steel (currently $450M→2026 $550M), cosmetics ($80M→$110M), medical devices ($30M→$50M), IT ($15M→$30M) — and import diversification in garments, leather, and seafood as the core strategy. BoomUpKorea buyer matching for 50 companies and operation of the Korea Pavilion at DITF are the key execution tools.
02
Keyword 2: Korean-Dedicated SEZ Cluster — Chattogram Site Confirmation
Pursuing the establishment of a Korean-dedicated industrial park within Bangladesh's Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The objective is to sign an MOU with BEZA (Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority), select a site near Chattogram port (target 200 acres), and attract 10+ Korean manufacturing companies. Plans also include supporting the expansion of existing investors such as Yura Corporation (garments), Korea Trading (outdoor), and DBL Group (Korean partner). One Seoul roadshow and two investor briefings are scheduled.
03
Keyword 3: Digital Trade Support — Expanding AI Matching and Video Consultations
Pursuing the digital transformation of overseas market research and buyer matching. Key tasks include maintaining virtual consultation share above 50%, first-phase application of the KOTRA AI+AX buyer matching system (scheduled Q2 2026), two online exhibitions, and operation of an e-commerce export support platform (Daraz Korea Pavilion). Bengali AI translation beta tester recruitment to eliminate language barriers.
04
Keyword 4: Infrastructure Project Support — Metro Rail and LNG as Targets
Expanding Korean EPC company participation in Bangladesh mega projects. Targets: Dhaka Metro Rail Line 2 (budget $4.5B), LNG Terminal 2nd expansion ($2B), SEZ infrastructure ($1B). Three EDCF concessional loan-linked projects (medical/education/infrastructure) and one PPP project are set as targets. Providing support for Korea Corp C&T, Korea Engineering Co & Construction, and 코리아GS E&C market entry.
05
Keyword 5: Strengthened Risk Management — K-SURE Insurance and Buyer Credit Checks
Strengthening exporter risk management in preparation for Bangladesh's foreign exchange regulations, exchange rate volatility (USD/BDT 120→125 depreciation), and political instability. Core initiatives: K-SURE export insurance enrollment campaign (target 20 companies), expanded buyer credit check support (30→50 cases annually), early payment collection response system (trade office monitoring + K-SURE claim support).

2025 Performance and Year-by-Year Trends

Dhaka Trade Office Key Performance by Year (2022–2025)
Indicator20222023202420252025 Achievement Rate
Export Consultations (cases)168185210235118%
Buyer Matching (cases)38445562124%
Market Research (cases)22263238127%
Investment Attraction (cases)234267%
Exhibition Support (cases)3456120%
Export Deals ($M)$9.5M$12M$15.5M$18.2M121%

Korea-Bangladesh Trade Status and 2030 Target

Korea-Bangladesh Trade Trend and Targets (2020–2030)
YearTotal TradeKorea→BD ExportsBD→Korea ImportsNotes
2020$1.4B$0.9B$0.5BCOVID decline
2022$1.8B$1.15B$0.65BRecovery trend
2024$2.2B$1.7B$0.5BExport expansion
2026 Target$2.8B$2.2B$0.6BSEZ investment reflected
2028 Target$3.8B$3.0B$0.8BEPC contract effect
2030 Target$5.0B$3.8B$1.2BK-Beauty and IT expansion

Improvement Points and 2026 Strengthened Strategy

2025 Areas Requiring Improvement
Investment AttractionBelow target (67%) — 2 cases achieved
SME ShareLarge company concentration needs improvement
Digital TransitionVideo consultation infrastructure insufficient
E-Commerce ExportsNew channel not yet secured
2026 Strengthened Strategy
Investment AttractionKorean SEZ dedicated cluster (target 4 cases)
SMEsVoucher program active promotion, target 25 companies
DigitalAI matching + Bengali translation
E-CommerceDaraz Korea Pavilion launch
2026 Key Keyword Target Indicators
KeywordCore TargetMeasurement IndicatorAchievement Deadline
$5B Export Roadmap2026 trade $2.8BKorea-BD trade statisticsDecember
Korean SEZ Cluster10+ company entry contractsBEZA MOU + entry contract countDecember
Digital Trade Support50%+ video consultations, AI matching pilotVideo consultation ratio among totalJune
Infrastructure Project Support3 EPC bid support casesKorean company bidding participation countDecember
Risk ManagementK-SURE 20 companies, credit checks 50 casesInsurance enrollment and research countDecember
Performance Assessment Reply Process
HQ Request
Keyword reply form received
Results Compilation
2025 performance aggregated (6 indicators)
Keyword Derivation
5 strategic keywords selected
Gap Analysis
Remediation plan for underperforming items
Reply Submission
Submitted to HQ
Feedback
Grade A confirmed + 2026 targets approved
2026 Global Trend Cases for Korea (Round 1)First round of global trend research
Additional 2026 Global Trend Cases for Korea (Round 2)Second round of global trend research
KBCCI 2025 Seminar Preparation MaterialsBilateral economic cooperation outcomes presentation

The Dhaka Trade Office achieved an overall A grade in the 2025 performance assessment and exceeded targets in export consultations, buyer matching, and market research. In 2026, the office pursues its agenda centered on 5 key keywords: the $5B export roadmap, Korean-dedicated SEZ cluster, digital trade support, infrastructure project support, and strengthened risk management. In particular, addressing the investment attraction shortfall (2025: 67%) through the SEZ dedicated cluster and increasing the SME share are the core improvement tasks for 2026. The Dhaka Trade Office's 5 key keywords guide Korean companies preparing to enter Bangladesh toward the most promising business areas and support channels in 2026. The $5B export roadmap plans milestone achievement of $2.8B in 2026, $3.8B in 2028, and $5B in 2030 in stages, with steel, medical devices, IT, and infrastructure as the core growth drivers. The Korean SEZ dedicated cluster is a medium-to-long-term project targeting site confirmation in 2026 and company entry starting in 2027–2028 — a critical turning point for Korean manufacturers establishing production bases in Bangladesh. Companies needing support related to the 5 key keywords are encouraged to contact KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office. Leverage the 2026 BoomUpKorea and DITF Korea Pavilion as opportunities to meet Bangladesh buyers directly.

PerformanceAssessmentKeywords2026ExportRoadmapSEZKSUREInsurance
2025 KOTRA Dhaka Performance Assessment Reply: 2026 Five Key Keywords Strategy | Dhaka Trade Portal