Development Letters
RAPID Centre for International Trade (RCIT)
About the project
Partner: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UKProject duration: February 2023 – March 2023
In 2022, the UK introduced the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) which presents an opportunity to promote the UK’s independent trade policy and to support the Government of Bangladesh’s (GoB’s) objective to diversify exports. Bangladesh is expected to benefit from more generous Rules of Origin (RoO) requirements, including more liberal product specific rules and extended cumulation.
The objective of this project is to conduct research and stakeholder consultations with a view to support, expand and promote exports from Bangladesh to the UK. In particular, the aim of this project is to diversify exports from Bangladesh to the UK away from Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector with a focus on electrical manufacturing and agro-processing sectors.
Project activities
Stakeholder Consultation: Expanding and Diversifying Exports to the UK Market
On 16 March 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised its fifth stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Bangladesh Bicycle & Parts Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BBPMEA), Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), Export Promotion Bureau as well as Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, who actively participated in the discussion. The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest, Mr Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Dr Duncan Overfield, Deputy Development Director at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), was present the event as Guest of Honour. RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque, delivered the keynote presentation, while the Executive Director of RAPID, Dr M Abu Eusuf, moderated the event.
Media coverage
The Financial Express The Business Standard The Business Post Prothom alo UNB The Daily Star Dhaka Tribune Independent TV
Stakeholder Consultation on Expanding Exports to the UK Market: Agricultural Products – Shrimp & Frozen Fish
On 23 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised its fourth stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Shrimp & Frozen Fish sectors, including members of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) and the Department of Fisheries, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, who actively participated in the discussion. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Kazi Belayet Hossain, President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).Dr M Abu Eusuf, Professor, Dhaka University & Executive Director of RAPID, made the trigger presentation while the consultant event was moderated by S. Humayun Kabir, Vice President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).
Stakeholder Consultation on Expanding Exports to the UK Market: Agro-Processing Sector
On 22 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised its third stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Agro-Processing Sector, including members of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), who actively participated in the discussion. In the Stakeholder Consultation, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export), Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was present as the Chief Guest. The interactive session on Expanding and Diversifying exports to the UK Market: Agro-processing industries , was conducted by Dr M A Razzaque (Chairman, RAPID) and the whole event was hosted by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID.
Media coverage
The Daily Star The Financial Express The Business Post
Stakeholder Consultation with Top Manufacturers and Exporters of Light Engineering Products to explore trade potential to the UK
On February 15, 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) organized its second stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the light engineering sectors, including members of the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners' Association (BEIOA) and the Bangladesh Bicycle & Parts Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BBPMEA), who actively participated in the discussion. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce. The Chairman of RAPID, Dr. M A Razzaque, led the session, while the Executive Director of RAPID, Dr. M Abu Eusuf, hosted the event.
Media coverage
The Financial Express The Business Standard The Business Post Prothom alo Bonik Barta
Engaging with Key Stakeholders: A Consultation with Footwear and Leather Product Manufacturers and Exporters
On 13 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised a stakeholder consultation. The consultation brought together key representatives from the leather and footwear sector, including manufacturers, exporters, and academics, for an insightful discussion on trade opportunities with the UK. The event was honored with the presence of the Chief Guest, Syed Manzur Elahi, Chairman of Apex Footwear Limited. The interactive session was conducted by the Chairman of RAPID, Dr. M A Razzaque, and the whole event was hosted by the Executive Director of RAPID, Dr. M Abu Eusuf.
Media coverage
The Financial Express
Project progress sharing meeting
During the first two weeks of February 2023, the RAPID team held a series of productive meetings where they discussed project progress updates and created approaches for conducting stakeholder consultations with relevant representatives from leather, footwear, light engineering, and agro-processing sectors.