Bangladesh, UK to hold strategic dialogue next month

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) will hold the next round of strategic dialogue in Dhaka in the second week of September.

Officials from both sides are now working on setting the agenda of the dialogue and an inter-ministerial meeting will be held on August 27. The dialogue will take place on September 12, according to a source within the government.

UNB adds: Entire bilateral relations including trade and investment, political and diplomatic relations, global and regional issues, economic and development partnerships, and security and defence are likely to be discussed in the dialogue.

The fourth Bangladesh-UK strategic dialogue was held in 2021 in London.

During the last strategic dialogue, the UK reiterated its commitment to support Bangladesh achieve a smooth and successful graduation and continue its export-led growth by providing duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market until 2029.

The UK committed to working with Bangladesh to deliver free and fair trade by improving the functioning of the WTO and modernising global trade rules.

UK’s landmark Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) came into effect in June this year that simplifies trading rules and cuts tariffs on products entering the UK from 65 developing countries, including Bangladesh.

The DCTS will help grow trade, boost jobs, and drive sustained economic growth, said the UK government, adding that this new scheme demonstrates the UK’s commitment to a modern and mutually beneficial partnership with Bangladesh.