Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) are gearing up for their upcoming strategic dialogue, scheduled to take place in Dhaka during the second week of September. Officials from both nations are actively collaborating on shaping the agenda for this pivotal discussion, with a significant inter-ministerial meeting projected for August 27.
The anticipated strategic dialogue, slated for September 12 as confirmed by an official source, is poised to encompass a wide spectrum of bilateral relations. These encompass vital areas such as trade and investment, political and diplomatic ties, global and regional concerns, economic partnerships, developmental endeavors, as well as security and defense collaboration.
This diplomatic interaction holds special significance as it marks the fifth instance of such exchanges between Bangladesh and the UK. In the most recent edition of this dialogue, held in London back in 2021, the UK underscored its unwavering commitment to assisting Bangladesh in achieving a seamless transition to a new phase of development. One of the key highlights of this commitment was the UK’s pledge to extend duty-free, quota-free access to its market until 2029, aiming to facilitate Bangladesh’s export-led growth.
Another critical facet of this evolving partnership is the UK’s groundbreaking initiative, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). This groundbreaking trade scheme, effective since June of this year, stands to simplify trading regulations and reduce tariffs on products entering the UK from 65 developing countries, including Bangladesh. In doing so, the DCTS is projected to stimulate trade, foster employment opportunities, and propel sustainable economic advancement. The UK government has expressed its confidence that the DCTS will not only invigorate trade but also reflect the UK’s steadfast commitment to a modern, mutually beneficial collaboration with Bangladesh.
