KOICA, ERD sign $2m project to upgrade Chattogram training centre
KOICA and ERD Launch $2 Million Plan for Safer Chattogram Training Centre
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Bangladesh’s Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre (BKTTC) in Chattogram is set to receive a major infrastructure upgrade under a new $2 million cooperation project involving the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
The two sides have signed a record of discussion for the initiative, which will replace the centre’s ageing academic building with a new structure designed to provide a safer and more dependable setting for technical education. Work is scheduled to run from 2026 through 2028.
The project is titled Ex-Post Management Project for Enhancing the Vocational Training Program of BKTTC, Chittagong. It will be carried out with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), which operates under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
New academic building planned
The existing academic building at the Chattogram centre will be removed and replaced by a two-storey facility. Although the new building will initially have two floors, its foundation will be built with the capacity to support as many as six storeys in the future.
This approach gives the training centre a more durable physical base while leaving room for future expansion if demand, programme requirements or institutional capacity grow over time. The project is focused on resolving structural safety concerns linked to the current facility and preserving the centre’s ability to continue its vocational training activities.
KOICA’s support will extend beyond construction funding. The agency will assist with architectural and engineering design, construction management, on-site supervision and technical advice for the safe demolition of the old building.
Replacing an academic building requires more than erecting a new structure. Planning, design, demolition oversight and construction supervision are all intended to ensure that the facility is structurally sound and suitable for a learning environment used by trainees and instructors.
Building on an earlier partnership
The new programme continues a long-running collaboration between Bangladesh and South Korea in technical and vocational education and training. KOICA previously supported the Enhancing the Vocational Training Program of TTC, Chittagong project between 2011 and 2013, contributing roughly $4.8 million.
That earlier support helped strengthen vocational training at the centre. The latest initiative is intended to maintain those gains while addressing the condition of the academic infrastructure that supports the delivery of training programmes.
Technical training centres play an important role in preparing people for skilled occupations. Reliable classrooms and learning facilities help instructors conduct practical and theory-based training in an environment that can remain functional over the long term. Improving the BKTTC campus is therefore expected to support both day-to-day teaching and the broader objective of strengthening vocational education capacity.
The upgraded facility is expected to create a more secure and sustainable setting for students and teachers. It is also intended to improve BKTTC’s ability to offer quality technical and vocational education, supporting the development of a skilled technical workforce in Bangladesh.
Focus on workforce development
Technical and vocational education is closely linked to workforce readiness, particularly for people seeking job-focused skills. A stronger training environment can help institutions provide learning opportunities that are better supported by safe facilities and durable infrastructure.
The project’s anticipated benefits extend beyond the immediate replacement of a building. By strengthening the centre’s operational capacity, the initiative is expected to contribute to Bangladesh’s wider efforts to build skilled human resources and support sustainable economic development.
For trainees, the investment represents an effort to protect continuity in vocational education at a centre with a history of Bangladesh-Korea cooperation. For instructors, it is expected to provide improved infrastructure for delivering training. For the institution itself, the six-storey-capable foundation creates flexibility for future needs without requiring the replacement of the core structural base.
“This Record of Discussion reflects the continued commitment of the Republic of Korea to ensuring the sustainability of our development cooperation with Bangladesh. Through this project, KOICA hopes to provide a safer and more sustainable training environment for future generations of Bangladeshi technical professionals,” said the country director of KOICA Bangladesh.
The statement highlights the emphasis on sustaining development cooperation beyond the initial period of past assistance. The project is structured as an ex-post management effort, meaning it is designed to reinforce and protect the value of earlier vocational training investments at the Chattogram centre.
“The improvement of the Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre will contribute to strengthening the quality of technical and vocational education in Bangladesh. We appreciate the continued cooperation of the Government of the Republic of Korea and KOICA in supporting the development of our skilled workforce,” said the wing chief of the Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance.
With implementation planned for 2026 to 2028, the project will combine new construction with technical planning and oversight. Its central goal is straightforward: replace an ageing facility with a safer academic building while strengthening the long-term foundation for vocational training in Chattogram.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is KOICA ERD sign 2m project to upgrade?KOICA ERD sign 2m project to upgrade is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does KOICA ERD sign 2m project to upgrade matter?KOICA ERD sign 2m project to upgrade matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.