[HERALD INTERVIEW]Illegal workers, a thorn for Bangladeshi envoy

With the high number of Bangladeshi migrant workers who`ve overstayed their work visas presently residing in Korea, Bangladeshi Ambassador Mustafa Kamal has more on his plate than the usual bilateral work that other ambassadors have as head envoys for their countries.

Illegal migrant workers from Bangladesh have been a thorn in the side of Kamal since arriving in Seoul. He has been working closely with the Korean government to rectify that problem, but as long as they stay here illegally the ambassador will have problems bringing to Korea more Bangladeshis to work in Korean factories.

"Since I came here in August of last year the figure has drastically reduced. More than about 3,000-4,000 people have gone back," he said. "The Korean government has recognized that we are working closely with them on this aspect so that this irritant is removed."

But until then the problem remains and new legal workers won`t be allowed to come to Korea to fill those jobs in the industrial sector.

The ambassador explained during an interview with The Korea Herald that there are a lot of Bangladeshi workers living here for the last 10-15 years and are doing a good job.

"This we got to know from our Korean friends. They (Bangladeshis) pick up the language very quickly, they mesh with society very well, and I think they`ve been doing a good job since they satisfy their employers. Many employers want Bangladeshi employees, so I`d like to develop that further by bringing new workers here legally to Korea."

Bringing in more Bangladeshis to work in Korean factories is just one of the aspects of Kammal`s job. The others are in the traditional areas that he believes can enrich the relations of both countries such as investment, trade and travel.

Korea is the seventh largest investor in Bangladesh and with the three economic processing zones the ambassador spoke about he sees the future of investment and trade growing between both countries.

"There are a lot of facilities which are exceptional. The labor cost is minimal compared with most of the countries that have export processing zones. Companies have total ownership and can take their money away whenever they want," the 51 year-old ambassador said.

There are three economic processing zones or as they are known in Korea, free economic zones. There is one in the capital city of Dhaka, in Comilla, which is near the eastern border next to India and another in the port city of Chittagong, which is also the second largest city in Bangladesh.

"Korean companies have been doing very well. They are the largest investors in those zones," he said.

The largest Korean company enjoying the benefits of these processing zones is the Youngone Corporation which makes garments and sports gear.

"It was the first company to establish a factory in the export processing zone." Kammal said. "Besides them there are a number of support companies for the clothing and textile industry like padding and other accessories for the manufacturing of ready made garments."

Trade between both countries is another piece of diplomacy that Kammal would like to see increase. Presently, trade stands at almost 700 billion won, with the majority going to the Korean side.

The reason Korea enjoys the majority of that slice is because they export industrial equipment to Bangladesh which can easily upset the trade balance, due to the high cost of machinery. On the Bangladeshi side they export more traditional items to Korea like leather and leather products, tea and jute.

As it stands now Bangladeshi products exported to Korea stands at 44.6 billion won.

"It`s unfortunate that we have not been able to project what we are producing, we are producing a lot of things, including pharmaceuticals, which we export to Europe. We would like our manufacturers and exporters to come to Korea in a big way in the form of participation in trade fairs and also have single country trade fairs," he said.

"Until such a time that our people are able to do this our export figures to Korea will perhaps remain the way they are and the trade balance will remain on the Korean side."

This, Kammal explained, is going to be an uphill task but he is hopeful that with continuous pressure and hard work the current situation will improve.

"It is like this probably because companies in Bangladesh are feeling content with the goods they offer to the west such as the American and European markets," he said.

But, the Bangladeshi government is not satisfied with just those markets and is looking towards the Far East and Southeast Asia.

"I hope very soon we will be able to have our businesses participate in trade exhibitions. If we can insure regular participation of Bangladeshi products in trade fairs in Korea I think that our exports are likely to improve," he said.

Even though trade has remained almost stagnant for Bangladeshi products, travel has increased from Korea, which mostly happens during the Bangladeshi winter which is cooler with no rain.

"They mostly go to the Sunderbans. It`s the largest mango forest in the world. There`s a crisscross of rivers which is very beautiful. There are other places of historical interest also to visit plus there`s Cox`s Bazaar which is the longest sea beach," he said.

During his tenure in Seoul he would also like to see a Bangladeshi restaurant which might happen sooner than expected. Kammal has been in contact with a few business people from his country who want to open a restaurant in Korea.

"I`ve yet to make headway but I`m still looking forward to it."

(yoav@heraldm.com)

By Yoav Cerralbo