Bangladesh could increase its exports to the United Kingdom to $10 billion if it raises its share of the UK import market from 0.49% to 1%, officials and business leaders said at a workshop in Dhaka, calling for greater export diversification beyond ready-made garments (RMG).
The workshop, titled Exporting to the UK: Opportunities Beyond RMG, was organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in collaboration with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the British High Commission in Bangladesh, at the DCCI Auditorium.
The event focused on opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses in non-RMG sectors, including processed food, pharmaceuticals, footwear, furniture and other higher-value products.
Participants highlighted the need to improve product quality, meet UK regulatory requirements, modernise testing and certification systems, strengthen traceability and branding, and address tariff and non-tariff barriers to expand exports.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said Bangladesh needed to diversify its exports to the UK by improving standards compliance, certification, product traceability and market intelligence.
He also stressed the importance of making better use of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and addressing barriers that could limit Bangladeshi products’ competitiveness in the British market.
James Goldman, acting high commissioner of the British High Commission in Bangladesh, highlighted the longstanding trade partnership between the two countries.
He said continued UK market access after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category would provide businesses with greater certainty to plan investments, expand operations and pursue long-term growth.
Goldman encouraged more Bangladeshi businesses to explore the opportunities available in the UK market.
Mohammad Hasan Arif, EPB vice-chairman and chief executive, presented the keynote paper on UK market opportunities, focusing on export diversification and the potential for higher-value products beyond garments.
He said non-RMG products accounted for only around 6% of Bangladesh’s merchandise exports to the UK, despite opportunities in sectors such as processed food, pharmaceuticals, footwear and furniture.
Arif called for stronger testing and certification facilities, improved production capacity and better compliance with UK product and regulatory standards to help local exporters compete more effectively.
A technical session on the DCTS was conducted by Ellie Parker, regional trade for development adviser for South Asia, Central Asia and the South Caucasus at the British High Commission.
The session examined existing and post-LDC graduation market-access opportunities under the scheme, including how exporters can claim preferential tariff benefits and meet the requirements for entering or expanding in the UK market.
An industry-government panel brought together representatives from customs, footwear and leather goods, seafood, agro-processing, packaging and other business sectors.
The discussion covered export procedures, product readiness, the use of preferential tariffs and regulatory, technical and operational challenges facing businesses seeking to enter the UK market.
An interactive question-and-answer session also allowed participants to seek practical guidance on export requirements and market-entry procedures.
The discussions underscored the importance of stronger cooperation among government agencies, businesses and development partners to diversify Bangladesh’s export basket, improve competitiveness and make better use of preferential market access as the country prepares for LDC graduation.
DCCI Vice-President Md Salem Sulaiman, members of the chamber’s board of directors, EPB officials and representatives from the public and private sectors also attended the workshop.
The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to reduce its reliance on garments and expand exports in sectors that can generate higher value, broaden its industrial base and strengthen trade ties with the UK.