UK to continue tariff-free market access for Bangladeshi goods

The United Kingdom has reiterated its pledge to continue tariff-free access for Bangladeshi goods to its market after leaving the European Union.

‘I repeat the UK's commitment to continue tariff-free market access for Bangladeshi goods entering the UK market after the UK leaves the European Union,’ Permanent Under-Secretary of the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald told the second Strategic Dialogue between the UK and Bangladesh held on Thursday at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London. Reports BSS.

According to a press release issued in Dhaka on Friday, at the dialogue, the UK commended Bangladesh for hosting over one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and stressed the need for their voluntary, safe, and dignified return to their homeland. 

It said Bangladesh welcomed the UK's assurance that it remains committed to keeping the international spotlight on the Rohingya crisis, and to supporting Bangladesh in its humanitarian response and the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. 

‘The dialogue involved a fruitful exchange of views on political and bilateral issues, economic and development cooperation, security and defense cooperation, and exchanges on current global issues, including the Rohingya crisis,’ the release said.

Permanent Under-Secretary of the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald led the UK side at the Strategic Dialogue while Bangladesh side was headed by Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque.

The UK restated its commitment to maintaining a high quality service for Bangladeshi nationals at the visa application centers in Dhaka and Sylhet. 

It looked forward to early implementation of the Cross-Border Higher Education Rules which will allow UK universities to operate in Bangladesh. 

Both countries agreed on the importance of education for women and girls and the UK welcomed the significant progress Bangladesh has made in this area.

The UK congratulated Bangladesh for being on course to graduating to middle income country status and welcomed Bangladesh's efforts and commitment to improving performance against the World Bank's ‘Doing Business Index’.

The both sides agreed that trade was an important tool in tackling poverty, and that increasing bilateral trade could bring significant benefits to both countries. 

AH