UK to Continue Duty-Free Access for Most Bangladeshi Exports After LDC Graduation

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has announced that the United Kingdom will continue to provide duty-free access for the vast majority of Bangladeshi exports even after the country graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

Speaking at a session of the Bay of Bengal Conversations held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, Cooke said Bangladesh currently enjoys duty-free access for 99.8 percent of its products under the UK's trade preferences for LDCs. This facility will remain in place for three years after Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status. Thereafter, duty-free access will continue for 92 percent of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments.

Cooke described the relationship between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh as having evolved beyond traditional development cooperation into a modern and strategic partnership that reflects Bangladesh's growing role on the global stage.

She noted that the UK is one of Bangladesh's largest foreign investors, with British companies contributing significantly to the country's economic transformation. Investments span key sectors including finance, fashion, education, and energy, creating substantial employment opportunities.

Highlighting Bangladesh's transition from LDC status, Cooke said the UK's priority is to support a smooth and sustainable graduation process. She also emphasized the importance of security cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a partnership built on mutual trust and shared objectives.

"The UK and Bangladesh share a common interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region," she said, adding that the UK recognizes Bangladesh's strategic role and responsibilities in the increasingly important Bay of Bengal.

On the Rohingya crisis, Cooke reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting Bangladesh, which hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees. She stressed the importance of maintaining international attention on the crisis and reiterated that the only sustainable solution is the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar when conditions permit.