Md Mohiuddin Rubel

After a three-year transition following LDC graduation, Bangladesh will lose the duty-free, quota-free access to the EU it currently enjoys under Everything But Arms (EBA) around the end of 2029, unless the transition is extended.

By 2030, every garment leaving Bangladesh for Europe will need to prove it was made with clean energy.

After a roller coaster period since the reciprocal US tariff was announced in April last year, the cut from 20 percent to 19 percent is modest but offers some relief. Under the new deal, certain Bangladeshi RMG and textile products made with US cotton and man-made fibres can enter the US duty free, with volumes tied to Bangladesh’s purchases. Turning this window into real export gains will require careful planning.

For years, Bangladesh has been approaching a crossroads in its development journey. Having met the criteria for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2018, the government found itself in a conundrum.

The US-China trade war, along with tariffs on Mexican exports, has created a unique opportunity for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry.

The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is set to transform global trade and corporate practices, marking a watershed moment for industries worldwide.

As the world confronts the pressing challenge of climate change, the global push toward decarbonisation has gained momentum, with major economies like the EU, US, and Canada pledging to achieve net-zero and strengthening legal frameworks for businesses to address climate issues.