BGMEA reiterates call for extending EU duty-free facility after LDC graduation

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has again called for extending the transition period for continuing the existing European Union (EU) duty-free facility under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme to help Bangladesh sustain its economic growth after graduating from the least-developed country status.

BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi made the call on Sunday when a high-level delegation, comprising ambassadors and representatives from the EU, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Italy paid a courtesy call at the apparel apex trade body’s Uttara office in Dhaka city. The delegation included Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of Denmark Christian Brix-Moller, Ambassador of Germany Achim Troster, Ambassador of Italy Antonio Alessando, Ambassador of Sweden Alexandra Berg Von Linde, Chargé d’affaires of the Netherlands Embassy Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of EU Delegation Bernd Spanier, Commercial Attaché at the Spanish Embassy Esther Pérez Tahoces and Trade Advisor to EU Delegation to Bangladesh Abu Syed Belal.

Bangladesh is set to lose the current Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) facility to the EU after 2026 as the country graduates from the LDC status. However, the EU will continue to provide duty-free access under the EBA scheme until 2029 as a transition period.

BGMEA President Kochi also sought cooperation from the EU to build the industry’s capacity to better deal with the due diligence directive and other emerging protocols.

Expressing gratitude to the EU, acknowledging its significant role as a long-standing friend and major development partner of Bangladesh, Mr Kochi also asked the envoys to engage with European buyers to ensure fair pricing and ethical sourcing.

The EU is the largest export destination for the locally made RMG products. In the last fiscal year, Bangladesh earned US$23.52 billion from the EU, out of its total RMG exports of US$46.99 billion.

During the meeting, the BGMEA president provided an overview of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry, emphasising recent developments in workplace safety, and workers’ well-being. 

BGMEA Vice Presidents Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Md Nasir Uddin, Miran Ali, and Abdullah Hil Rakib, among others, were present during the courtesy call.

[email protected]