Korean Business and Trade Diaspora in Bangladesh Problems

Korean Business and Trade Diaspora in Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects of Doing Business Dr. Saifur Rashid Professor of Anthropology University of Dhaka Dr. Peter K. Yun Intercultural Specialist Teaching at Ebenezer International School LOGO Dhaka, Bangladesh

KOIKA Volunteers working with the Destitute Children in Bangladesh

The Outline Korean Diaspora around the World and in Bangladesh Korean Business and Trade in Bangladesh Korean Diaspora and their Engagement in Bangladesh The Gulshan attack and aftermaths The Rationale of the Study The importance of the study A Proposal for an immediate Study Methods of the study

Overview of Korean Diaspora v The Korean Diaspora consists of roughly seven million people. v Nearly four-fifths of expatriate Koreans live in just three countries: China, the United States, and Japan. v Cumulatively, there were about 5. 3 million Korean emigrants as of 2010. v According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of South Korea over 7 million Korean people lives across the world outside Korea. v Bangladesh is not a very popular destination for Korean migrant workers. v For the Koreans, Bangladesh is a destination for investment. Textile/1980 s/EPZ v According to a Government press note the number of Koreans living in Bangladesh is approximately 1500.

Korean Diaspora in Bangladesh The Reality Lack of Proper Data because of poor immigration records. Hardly anthropological study on the Korean Diaspora in Bangladesh

A Korean Grocery Shop in Banani (Dhaka)

Korean Business and Trade in Bangladesh Strong official diplomatic relations About 13, 000 Bangladeshi skilled migrant workers in South Korea Joint military exercises Import/Export Involvement of Korea Importers Association (KOIMA)

KD: Engagement in Bangladesh v KOICA and KOTRA both are working for the development of Bangladesh. v Korean entrepreneurs first came to Bangladesh in the early 1970 s. v The Garment sector of Bangladesh is also developed by the Korean Textile machineries, equipment, and heavy duty machineries. v Engagement of the Korean engineers and technicians in RMG sector. v Public and Private organizations other than RMG Sector. v Korean Embassy, allied government organizations, NGOs, Missionaries and other development organizations, Korean companies, trade bodies, investment companies, private businesses, restaurant and housing business. v Korean brands like LG and Samsung are now ‘household names’ in Bangladesh. v Youth Koreans working as volunteers. v Many of the Koreans have married Bangladeshis and can speak Bangla. v Korean foods, music and drama are getting very popular among the teenagers. v Runs some schools, churches, hospital and other charity organizations. v Korean development workers are very trusted in the rural areas. v Cities: Mainly in Dhaka, Chittagong. More than 160, 000 Bangladeshi workers are working in Koreans owned Garment factories in Dhaka & Chittagong

Korean People Playing Tennis in a Local Club Text

Table Type of Organizations Embassy and other allied public organizations, NGOs, Missionaries and other development organizations Korean MNCs Companies (mobile, electronics, air conditioner and lift, construction equipment, automobiles and others Investment Companies Number of Organizations 20 Remarks 22 Few of these have multiple offices 33 They include Banks, factories, companies and others Garments, textiles and other labor oriented manufacturing industries in Dhaka Garments, textiles and other labor oriented manufacturing industries in Chittagong 51 Construction Companies 12 Private Business (various types) 10 72 Restaurant, housing and guest houses, daily shops 21 (groceries and others) Some factories are located in the KEPZ and others are in various places of Chittagong

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Aftermaths of the Gulashan Terrorist Attack Aftermath The Attack q 1 st July 2016 Gulshan Terrorist Attack q. The hostages killed nine Italians, seven Japanese and an Indian. Facts q. A video taken by a South Korean named Hwang (who lives in the US) from a window of a building adjacent to the café had gone viral on the facebook. q. Security threats q. JICA and KOIKA decided to halt their activities. q. Korean Diaspora people in Bangladesh are shocked as well.

Pictorial: Gulashan Terrorist Attack

Need, Feasibility and Capability of a Study v There is a serious need of detailed study on the KD in Bangladesh. v The capability of the Department of Anthropology at the Dhaka University to conduct in-depth research. v Undertook a small joint study on the Job Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction of Bangladeshi Migrant in Korea. v Approaching towards some research projects on the Korean Business and Trade Diaspora in Bangladesh. v The proposed study would cover the culture, business, life styles, intercultural relationships, problems and prospects of doing business in Bangladesh.

Objective and Rationale of the Study v The research will help to understand about the business environment for Korean business and trade diaspora from their perspectives. v The proposed studies will have the following specific objectives: Ø To Know About History of Korean business investment in Bangladesh Volume of investment and potentials of further investment Problems of investment & problems of doing business here living condition of Koreans in Bangladesh, their food, shelter, recreation, community participation, language, culture, children education, learning Korean, English and Bangla, and their safety and security § The role of Korean Embassy and the Government of Bangladesh in promoting Korean Business in Bangladesh § § Ø To find A § detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by Korean entrepreneurs Ø To Do A § survey on a variety of Korean communities within the broader Korean diasporas such as business community, industry workers, management professionals, embassy people, NGO/ development workers, students and others

Korean Factories in BD Add Your Text

Proposal An immediate study “The Current Trends of Korean Business in Bangladesh”. Small Scale Database Documentary

Ethnographic Study Area Korea owned garments industries in Bangladesh Sample Owners/ representatives/ management people of some selected Korean owned garments industries located in both Dhaka and Chittagong Coverage The Embassy people, KOTRA, Korea Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, Korean Buying Houses and others (regarding managing businesses).

Methods of the Study Both Qualitative and Quantitative Sample Survey Visual Documentation Key Informants Interviewing Framework Case Studies Narrative analysis

Major Outcomes The living condition The experience of doing business Current situation after the terrorist attack Future Plan for expanding Business in BD Get Reliable Data on KD in BD

Bangladesh Embassy Meets Korean in Seoul

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