New Vision PPT for KOTRA: Analysis of Bangladesh Entry Strategy

Bangladesh is a demographic-dividend economy with 170 million people (8th largest population globally), 6.5% five-year average GDP growth, and 68% of the population in the working-age bracket. Even after LDC graduation in 2026, Bangladesh can preserve favorable tariff conditions if CEPA is concluded, strengthening its role as a major beneficiary in supply-chain diversification strategies. A 2030 GDP of USD 5B and transition to upper-middle-income status are expected under favorable structural reforms.

KOTRA Dhaka currently supports (1) market research and buyer discovery, (2) exhibition and partner-matching events, (3) guidance on investment climate and legal issues, and (4) on-demand troubleshooting for Korean firms. New Vision proposes stronger institutional support by expanding sector-specialized advisory services, co-sponsoring investment mobilization with BIDA, and linking with KIND/KEXIM for infrastructure opportunities.

Phase 1 (2024~25): deepen current trade flows and explore ICT and healthcare opportunities. Phase 2 (2026~27): exploit the transition around LDC graduation, secure CEPA, and attract large-ticket investors. Phase 3 (2028~30): expand manufacturing investment, including CKD assembly and electronics, while scaling ICT service exports and establishing Korea-Bangladesh industrial clusters.

Key risks are: (1) post-LDC tariff risk—loss of GSP benefits if CEPA is not concluded on time; (2) infrastructure bottlenecks in power, logistics, and port operations requiring EDCF/KIND collaboration; (3) governance and transaction costs linked to bureaucracy and corruption where BIDA's one-stop support should be used; (4) policy continuity monitoring after the 2024 political transition; (5) Taka volatility, requiring proactive FX risk hedging.