Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to strengthen awareness and capacity-building efforts to help local exporters make greater use of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), as the country prepares for its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
The commitment came at a round-table discussion jointly organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the British High Commission in the city on Wednesday, bringing together representatives of leading export associations, chambers and trade bodies.
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The discussion focused on strategies to enhance the utilisation of DCTS preferences, address market access challenges and prepare Bangladeshi exporters for the changing trade landscape following LDC graduation.
The event was inaugurated by EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (Additional Secretary) Mohammad Hasan Arif, while British Deputy High Commissioner James Goldman delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the UK government.
Ellie Parker, regional trade for development adviser for South Asia, Central Asia and the South Caucasus at the British High Commission, presented the key features of the DCTS, highlighting opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters, recent improvements to the scheme and possible areas of cooperation to improve its utilisation.
Participants stressed the importance of ensuring that exporters can fully benefit from the preferential market access offered under the DCTS and discussed ways to overcome existing barriers in the UK market.
The EPB announced that it will publish a comprehensive DCTS booklet containing practical guidance on eligibility requirements, rules of origin, documentation procedures and the effective use of trade preferences.
A series of awareness and sensitisation workshops will also be organised in Dhaka and Chattogram in collaboration with the British High Commission and relevant industry associations to improve exporters’ understanding of the scheme.
The event was attended by representatives of major business organisations, including BGMEA, BKMEA, FBCCI, DCCI, MCCI, BCMEA, BPGMEA, BAPA, BAPI and other sectoral associations.
Participants welcomed the initiative and emphasised continued collaboration among the Bangladesh government, the British High Commission and the private sector to maximise DCTS benefits, diversify exports and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the UK market after LDC graduation.