Bangladesh has been encouraged to expand its duty-free exports to the United Kingdom by utilising the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides preferential market access.
During a meeting at the Secretariat, UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton highlighted the potential to diversify exports beyond ready-made garments. She identified sectors such as processed food, seafood, light engineering, and leather goods as key growth areas.
She also urged Bangladesh to take advantage of nearly £2 billion in export credit facilities available through UK Export Finance to support infrastructure and investment projects.
Both sides agreed to revive the Bangladesh–UK Trade and Investment Dialogue to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
The DCTS, introduced in June 2023, allows duty-free access for most goods from least developed countries, including Bangladesh. The UK has confirmed that this benefit will continue even after Bangladesh graduates from LDC status.
Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that Bangladesh is working to improve its investment climate, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate ease of doing business. He also noted ongoing efforts to pursue free trade and economic partnership agreements with various countries, including the UK.
The United Kingdom remains Bangladesh’s third-largest export destination after the United States and Germany. In FY2024–25, Bangladesh exported goods worth $4.62 billion to the UK, accounting for 9.57% of total exports.
While ready-made garments dominate exports, accounting for around 90%, other sectors such as frozen food, IT services, leather, jute goods, and bicycles also contribute to the export basket.
