DHAKA, July 22, 2025 (BSS) – Fifteen high and mid-level officials from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance are currently participating in a two-week capacity-building programme in South Korea, aimed at enhancing Bangladesh’s aid management and development cooperation strategies.

The training, titled “Capacity Building for ERD Officials in Bangladesh,” is being held from July 20 to August 2 at the KOICA International Cooperation Center (ICC) in Seongnam, said a KOICA press release here today.  

The programme is fully funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) under its flagship CIAT (Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow) Fellowship Programme.

The initiative is part of KOICA’s three-year (2023–2025) cooperation framework to support Bangladesh in building a skilled pool of civil servants engaged in international development cooperation.

During the programme, Korean experts are conducting intensive sessions on sustainable development planning, effective Official Development Assistance (ODA) coordination, investment evaluation, debt management, negotiation and conflict resolution, as well as fostering public-private partnerships and multilateral cooperation. 

The participants are also visiting major Korean institutions, including the KDI Global Knowledge Exchange & Development Center, OECD Korea Policy Centre, and Hyundai Motors Factory, to gain practical insights into Korea’s development experiences and institutional best practices.

“This programme is a testament to KOICA’s commitment to long-term capacity development in Bangladesh. We believe these sessions will empower ERD officials to lead more strategic and effective development cooperation,” KOICA Bangladesh Country Director Kim Taeyoung said on the occasion. 

Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Office Kim Junsu noted that this initiative not only strengthens institutional capacity but also deepens the partnership between Korea and Bangladesh through meaningful knowledge exchange.

KOICA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development priorities and expressed confidence that this training will contribute to more effective aid management while further strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Korea.