Some 92 percent of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, will retain duty-free access to the UK market after a three-year transition period following Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said on Sunday.
She made the remarks while addressing the second day of the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 at a hotel in the capital.
Cooke said Bangladesh currently enjoys duty-free access to 99.8 percent of its product lines in the UK market.
The existing benefits will continue for three years after Bangladesh graduates from LDC status. After that period, duty-free access will remain available for 92 percent of products, including ready-made garments, she said.
The high commissioner said the UK’s priority is to help Bangladesh achieve a smooth and sustainable transition from LDC status.
She described the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme as one of the world’s simplest and most generous trade preference arrangements.
Cooke said Bangladesh is a strategic and trusted partner of the UK, with bilateral relations evolving into a more modern and strategic partnership that reflects the country’s growing role on the global stage.
“People-to-people ties” remain one of the foundations of the partnership, she said.
Highlighting the strong economic relationship between the two countries, Cooke said the UK is one of Bangladesh’s largest investors.
British companies operating in finance, fashion, education and energy are contributing to Bangladesh’s economic transformation and generating significant employment, she said.
UK-Bangladesh security cooperation
On security cooperation, Cooke said the partnership is based on mutual trust and shared objectives, including a common interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The UK recognises Bangladesh’s role and responsibilities in the Bay of Bengal, which is becoming increasingly important strategically, she said.
Both countries also recognise the need for coordinated responses to economic security challenges, cyber threats and climate-related risks, she added.
UK reaffirms support for Rohingya
On the Rohingya crisis, Cooke reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to maintaining international attention on the issue and working towards the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar when conditions allow.
She described repatriation as the only sustainable solution to the crisis.
Climate change
Turning to climate change, the British high commissioner said Bangladesh and the UK share common interests in addressing its impacts.
Few countries understand climate risks better than Bangladesh, she said, noting that rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and extreme weather are already affecting communities.
“These impacts will continue across generations,” Cooke said.
The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) organised the three-day international conference.
