The South Korean overseas development agency, KOICA organized a workshop to Strengthen Bangladesh-South Korea Collaboration in the capital. Photo: KOICA

DHAKA, April 29, 2025 (BSS) – The Korean overseas volunteers named World Friends Korea (WFK) have been praised by the Bangladesh government officials for their contribution in development of the country’s education, health, and technical training sector. 

They were praised at a workshop to Strengthen Bangladesh-South Korea Collaboration, organized by KOICA, the South Korean overseas development agency, in the capital, said a press release here.   

The workshop brought together esteemed guests from ERD, Ministry of Expatriates, BMET, and many other government organizations, high officials, educators, and dedicated Korean volunteers to celebrate and discuss the enduring collaboration between South Korea and Bangladesh.

In the welcome remarks, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Office Junsu Kim reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to developing skilled human resources in Bangladesh.

The workshop featured keynote speeches from Taeyoung Kim, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Office, Saiful Islam Chowdhury, Additional Secretary, Planning and Development wing, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Md. Ashraf Hossain, Additional Director General from the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) and MasumaAkter, Joint Secretary, Asia 2, Economic Relations Division.

Taeyoung Kim underscored KOICA’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, aligning the efforts of the WFK programme with the country’s ambition to become a high-income nation. 

The country director expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership between South Korea and Bangladesh and emphasized KOICA’s commitment to strengthening the collaboration in the fields of education, health, and capacity-building. 

He also spoke about the long-term positive impact of the WFK volunteers and the value they bring to the communities they serve.

Speakers observed that the Korean volunteers work directly contributes to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, particularly in areas that align with the government's goals for sustainable progress and human resource development.

The workshop reinforced the strong foundation of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea, paving the way for future collaborative efforts.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), established in 1991 by the government of the Republic of Korea, enhances the effectiveness of Korea's grant aid programmes for developing countries. 

The World Friends Korea (WFK) volunteer programme, a key initiative of KOICA, dispatches volunteers to partner countries to share expertise and skills in various sectors, including education, health, and community development, fostering mutual understanding and contributing to the development of Bangladesh.