Project activities
Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Partnership
Contents
Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Partnership
About the project
Partner:The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).Project duration: March 2022-November 2022.
Over the past several decades, the European Union (EU) has emerged as an indispensable trade and development partner for Bangladesh. With almost half of the country’s merchandise exports is destined to the EU, it is by far the largest export destination. Taking advantage of its Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative—designed for providing preferential duty-free and quota-free market access of goods originated from the least developed countries (LDCs)—Bangladesh’s combined exports to the EU and UK expanded rapidly from US$ 2.5 billion in 2000-01 to $25 billion in 2020-21. In value terms, more than 80 per cent of all trade preferences for Bangladesh is obtained from European markets. The country has been the single largest beneficiary of EU trade preferential schemes.
Along with trade, the EU has been one of the most important development partners. Since 2001, the EU has been providing development assistance to Bangladesh. While disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and building resilience have been key priority areas of funding, the EU has also extended support for Rohingya response and pandemic containment efforts.
The nature of trade relationship with the EU, or, more precisely, Bangladesh’s dependence on EU trade preference, is now, however, set to come to terms with other major developments that will require a profound transformation of the current trade and cooperation regime. Against this backdrop, this project will provide an evidence-based policy consultation exercise to prepare for a transformed and revitalized trade and economic partnership with the EU.
Project activities
First Capacity building workshop with journalists: Towards a Transformed and Revitalized Trade and Economic Partnership with the EU
On 14 May 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Bangladesh organised a capacity building session with seven journalists from several leading newspapers of the country. RAPID Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque facilitated the session styled “Towards a Transformed and Revitalized Trade and Economic Partnership with the EU".
Second Capacity building workshop with journalists: Bangladesh’s Export Prospects in the EU
On 11 September 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Bangladesh organised a capacity building training session with eight journalists from several leading newspapers of the country. RAPID Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque facilitated the session titled “Bangladesh’s Export Prospects in the EU”.
Media coverage New Age কালের কণ্ঠ The Business Standard Zoombangla,com Daily Sun The Financial Express
Third Capacity building workshop with journalists: EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and supply chain regulations: Implications for Bangladesh
On 25 September 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Bangladesh organised a capacity building training session with eight journalists from several leading newspapers of the country. RAPID Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque facilitated the session titled “EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and supply chain regulations: Implications for Bangladesh”.
Media coverage The Business Standard The Financial Express The Daily Observer The New Nation দৈনিক সমকাল Dhaka Tribune
Fourth Capacity building workshop with journalists: Boosting Leather Exports to the EU
On 15 November 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Bangladesh organised a capacity building training session with six journalists from several leading newspapers of the country. Executive Director, RAPID, Dr M Abu Eusuf and Associate Director, RAPID, Jillur Rahman conducted the capacity building session on "Boosting Leather Exports to the EU ”.
Dissemination Seminar: Strengthening Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Cooperation: Issues and Policy Priorities
On 27 October 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh jointly organized a dissemination seminar. In the dissemination event, H.E. Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh was present as the Guest of Honour. Ms Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The interactive session on " Strengthening Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Cooperation: Issues and Policy Priorities” was conducted by Dr M A Razzaque (Chairman, RAPID) and the whole event was hosted by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID.
First Technical Consultation on Towards a Transformed and Revitalised Trade and Economic Partnership with the EU: Issues and Priorities for Bangladesh
. Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh jointly organized a virtual technical consultation titled “Towards a Transformed and Revitalized Trade and Economic Partnership with the EU: Issues and Priorities for Bangladesh” on August 22, 2022. The zoom event was attended by government officials, private sector representatives, experts from academia, and members of the news media. Several key points came out during the discussion regarding the potential for economic partnership between the EU and Bangladesh.
Second Technical Consultation on Strengthening Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Cooperation: Issues and Policy Priorities
On 29 September 2022, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh jointly organized a technical consultation titled Strengthening Bangladesh-EU Trade and Economic Cooperation: Issues and Policy Priorities. In the technical consultation, Mr Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was present as Chief Guest. The Keynote presentation was given by Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque RAPID Chairman and the panel discussion was moderated by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID.
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