KOICA and DNCRP today jointly held a ‘Knowledge Sharing Seminar’ in the capital. Photo: KOICA

DHAKA, May 28, 2025 (BSS) – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) today jointly held a ‘Knowledge Sharing Seminar’ in the capital, aiming to bolster cooperation in consumer rights protection through meaningful dialogue and capacity-building initiatives.

The seminar, held at the DNCRP headquarters, brought together key stakeholders from both Bangladesh and South Korea to exchange insights, share experiences, and strengthen institutional ties in the area of consumer welfare, said a KOICA’s press release here.  

Director General of DNCRP Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan and Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Office Kim Junsu attended the event as special guests and emphasized the value of international cooperation in protecting consumer interests and promoting regulatory effectiveness.

In his remarks, DG Khan expressed appreciation to KOICA for its consistent support in enhancing DNCRP’s institutional capacity, while Kim Junsu underscored the role of human resource development as a foundation for sustainable progress.

The seminar featured a presentation by DNCRP Director (Deputy Secretary) Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, who shared his experience as a KOICA fellow under the ongoing program titled "Capacity Building for Improvement and Specialization of Consumer Protection (2023–2025)". 

He highlighted practical lessons learned in Korea related to consumer redress mechanisms, scientific testing, and dispute resolution strategies.

A key announcement during the event confirmed that three senior DNCRP officials have been nominated to participate in the upcoming KOICA Fellowship Program in South Korea from June 8 to 21, 2025. 

Organized by the Korea Consumer Agency under KOICA’s CIAT (Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow) initiative, the intensive programme will focus on improving institutional competencies and promoting global best practices in consumer protection.

The training will cover areas such as market surveillance, collective dispute resolution, product evaluation, and the strategic adoption of the Consumer-Centered Management (CCM) framework.

The seminar concluded with an interactive session involving KOICA alumni, DNCRP officials, consumer rights advocates, and stakeholders from academia and the private sector. 

Discussions centered on how international collaboration can accelerate institutional reforms and help safeguard consumer interests more effectively in Bangladesh and beyond.

The event reaffirmed the growing partnership between Korea and Bangladesh in the development sector and underscored KOICA’s continued commitment to strengthening governance and public service delivery through people-centered capacity development.