DHAKA, June 10, 2026 (BSS) - The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its 
commitment to deepening economic engagement with Bangladesh, signaling 
support for a stronger trade and investment partnership as the country 
prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 20th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo 
at the International Convention City Bashundhara, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh 
Michael Miller said the bloc views Bangladesh as entering a new phase of its 
economic transformation, where the focus must shift toward higher-value 
industries, skilled employment, sustainable growth, and quality investments, 
said a press release.

Addressing industry leaders, policymakers and international buyers, Miller 
emphasized that Bangladesh's next development stage will require creating 
decent jobs, upgrading workforce skills, attracting high-quality investments, 
diversifying the economy, accelerating the clean energy transition, and 
preparing effectively for LDC graduation.

The ambassador also expressed the EU's expectation that Bangladesh's upcoming 
national budget would reflect a bold sustainability agenda and include 
measures to improve the business climate and ensure a level playing field for 
European investors and businesses.

In a significant diplomatic development, Miller revealed that he had conveyed 
an invitation from the President of the European Commission to Prime Minister 
Tarique Rahman to attend the next Global Gateway Summit in Brussels. 

He further noted that the EU is currently evaluating Bangladesh's proposal 
for a free trade agreement (FTA), building on the recently launched 
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, indicating the bloc's willingness to 
strengthen long-term economic ties with Dhaka.

Industry leaders at the expo stressed that securing favorable trade 
arrangements with major markets such as the EU will be critical as Bangladesh 
approaches LDC graduation.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu warned that the country's ready-made 
garment (RMG) sector, which currently benefits most from preferential market 
access, could face significant challenges if post-graduation trade frameworks 
are not secured in time.

He noted that Bangladesh has become the largest exporter of denim products to 
both the EU and the United States, surpassing China, and emphasized that 
maintaining competitiveness after graduation would require collaboration 
among manufacturers, international brands, development partners and the 
government.

The two-day expo, organized under the theme "Frontline to Future," brought 
together global apparel brands, manufacturers, policymakers and development 
partners to discuss the future of Bangladesh's denim and apparel industry 
amid changing global trade dynamics.

A key panel discussion focused on Bangladesh's trade strategy in the post-LDC 
era, examining prospects for trade agreements and continued market access in 
major export destinations.

Another session explored the concept of a "just transition" in the apparel 
sector, highlighting sustainability, labour welfare, financing and industrial 
transformation.

The event will continue through June 11, featuring exhibitions, networking 
opportunities and a dedicated Trend Zone showcasing emerging innovations and 
future trends in the global denim industry.