Dhaka:British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has announced that 92 percent of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, will maintain duty-free access to the UK market following the three-year transition after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Cooke made these remarks during the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 event in the capital. She highlighted that Bangladesh currently enjoys duty-free access on 99.8 percent of its product lines in the UK, which will continue for three years post-LDC graduation. Duty-free access will then remain for 92 percent of products.
Cooke emphasized that the UK's priority is to support Bangladesh in achieving a smooth and sustainable transition from its LDC status. She noted the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme as one of the most straightforward and generous trade preference arrangements globally.
The high commissioner described Bangladesh as a strategic and trusted partner of the UK, with bilateral relations evolving into a more modern and strategic partnership as Bangladesh's global role grows. She underscored the importance of people-to-people ties in this partnership.
Cooke also pointed out that the UK is one of Bangladesh's largest investors, with British companies in finance, fashion, education, and energy sectors playing a significant role in Bangladesh's economic transformation and employment generation.
In terms of security cooperation, Cooke mentioned that the partnership is built on mutual trust and shared goals, particularly concerning a free and open Indo-Pacific. The UK acknowledges Bangladesh's strategic importance in the Bay of Bengal and the need for coordinated responses to economic security challenges, cyber threats, and climate-related risks.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Cooke reiterated the UK's dedication to maintaining international attention and facilitating the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar when possible. She identified this repatriation as the only sustainable solution to the crisis.
On climate change, Cooke stated that Bangladesh and the UK have shared interests in addressing its impacts. With Bangladesh already experiencing the effects of rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and extreme weather, these challenges are expected to persist across generations.
The three-day international conference was organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).