The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has recently appealed to the United Kingdom to extend the duty-free market access for readymade garments (RMG) from Bangladesh until 2032, following Bangladesh’s graduation from the status of least developed country (LDC) in 2026.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan expressed gratitude to the UK government for its new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which currently grants this benefit until 2029. In a letter addressed to British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Hassan highlighted the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global fashion industry and the domestic RMG sector as the basis for the request.
Additionally, he sought the UK government’s support in raising product prices in line with potential increases in workers’ wages in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh has established a minimum wage board, and substantial wage increases are expected. BGMEA hopes to receive strong support from stakeholders to ensure that this wage hike benefits the industry, especially buyers.
The BGMEA letter also raised the issue of rules of origin for both the LDCs’ framework and enhanced framework, particularly regarding apparel items. DCTS provides duty-free access for two-thirds of product lines under the enhanced framework, and BGMEA requested clarification on how Bangladesh can access information regarding product coverage.”
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