Bangladesh is preparing to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU), with the long-term objective of transitioning toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The plan follows a comprehensive feasibility study and detailed review of bilateral trade data.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Commerce Adviser S K Bashir Uddin and an EU delegation led by EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the Ministry of Commerce recently.
Adviser Bashir Uddin emphasized that the EU remains one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and offers significant scope for expanded collaboration. “Bangladesh intends to move forward with an EPA — and eventually an FTA — after evaluating trade feasibility and opportunities,” he said.
Ambassador Miller highlighted that while the EU is a major export destination for Bangladesh, the existing trade imbalance—with Bangladesh exporting far more than it imports—presents both sides with an opportunity to strengthen trade and investment ties.
The meeting also included Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, the Ambassadors of Spain and Denmark, Deputy Heads of Mission from the French, German, Italian, and Swedish embassies, Italian Embassy official Frederico Zamprelli, and Abu Syed Belal, Trade Adviser of the Bangladesh Delegation to the EU.
