Both sides remain committed to strengthening trade and investment
Bangladesh has reiterated the need for ensuring fair prices for its products in the European market, especially in view of the investment being made in “safer and greener” factories.
Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) held the 10th Joint Commission in Brussels on Friday and discussed a wide range of issues of common interest including trade and investment in a very constructive and open atmosphere.
In view of Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status, Bangladesh and the EU agreed on the importance of establishing a predictable and sustainable business climate that would enhance trade and investment, remove market access barriers, and promote a sustainable diversification of its economy.
To this end, the two sides remain committed to pursuing and further strengthening the Business Climate Dialogue.
The EU commended Bangladesh for its continuing success as the largest beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) unilateral preferential trade arrangement.
It was recalled that EBA preferences are conditional on the respect of human rights, including labour rights, as reflected in the international conventions listed in the GSP Regulation.
Garment export to the EU and the UK, Bangladesh’s single largest export destination, rose 23.83% year-on-year to $12 billion in the current fiscal year’s first half.
Sustained reforms of labour rights standards by the Bangladesh government and their full alignment with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions are crucial in this regard, according to the EU.
The EU welcomed the finalization and publication of Bangladesh´s National Action Plan on the labour sector and stressed the need for its comprehensive implementation as per the stipulated timelines, regular updates on its implementation, and trying to advance the timelines of revising the labour law applicable in export-processing zones.
The EU and Bangladesh discussed governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights, Rohingya crisis, economic and trade cooperation, migration, climate change, education, development cooperation and regional cooperation.
The first EU-Bangladesh Political Dialogue will be held in Dhaka in June this year.
