The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has formally requested the United Kingdom to consider extending the duty-free market access for Bangladeshi readymade garments until 2032.
This appeal comes in anticipation of Bangladesh’s transition from a least developed country to a developing one in 2026.
In a letter addressed to the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan expressed gratitude for the UK Government’s recent implementation of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
This scheme grants duty-free market access to Bangladeshi RMG products in the UK market, a privilege currently set to last until 2029.
Faruque Hassan reiterated the request for an extended transition period up to 2032, citing the severe impact of the global pandemic on the garment industry and the broader fashion sector.
He further highlighted the challenges faced by the Bangladeshi RMG sector in the post-pandemic landscape, including disruptions in buyer sourcing patterns and significant increases in fuel prices, leading to inflation and constraints on consumer spending.
The BGMEA president also sought the UK Government’s support in adjusting product prices to align with potential increases in workers’ wages in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of industry-wide collaboration in this regard.
