BGMEA wants EU to keep duty benefit until 2038

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has requested the European Union to continue its duty benefits for Bangladesh for 12 years after the country’s graduation from LDCs in 2026.

The extension will help Bangladesh in making a smooth transition from LDC and preparing to face post-graduation challenges, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said during a meeting with the Ambassador of EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley who paid a courtesy call to the BGMEA office at Gulshan in Dhaka on October 13.

BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali was also present at the meeting.

Faruque apprised the newly appointed EU ambassador about the present situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, its challenges, opportunities and future priorities.

He also shared the impressive achievements of the industry in workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ wellbeing.

He thanked the European Union for its step to remove the 7.4 per cent import-share threshold from the GSP-plus vulnerability criteria, as it will pave the way for Bangladesh to apply for GSP-plus benefit after its LDC graduation.

He also hoped the friendly support and cooperation of the European Union to Bangladesh, especially for the RMG industry, will continue in the coming days.