Bangladesh has requested duty-free and quota-free access for its products in the Swedish market beyond its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status. The request was made during a meeting between Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin at the secretariat on Wednesday, 18th Dec, 2024.
The discussion focused on bilateral trade, economic cooperation, and investment opportunities. The commerce adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s investment-friendly environment and noted that the interim government, formed after the student uprising, has implemented reforms to attract foreign investments. Among these reforms, the Labour Reform Commission stands out, ensuring a secure and favorable working environment for workers.
Commerce adviser underscored the strong bilateral relationship between Sweden and Bangladesh, urging Sweden to enhance ties through job creation and investments in Bangladesh’s special economic zones. He also sought Sweden’s support in maintaining the European Union’s quota-free trade facility for Bangladeshi products in the post-LDC era. Bangladesh is set to graduate from LDC status in November 2026.
Ambassador Weeks acknowledged Sweden’s existing engagements in Bangladesh and expressed plans to expand into various sectors, including economic partnerships. He emphasized the need for diversification of Bangladeshi exports beyond ready-made garments to better cater to the Swedish market. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Md Abdur Rahim Khan.
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