Bangladesh is discussing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with 12 countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said. Formal talks with the European Union on an FTA could begin within a month.
He spoke at an event organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital on Wednesday (August 12).
Muktadir said discussions were under way with 12 countries and formal EU talks would begin soon.
The government is taking initiatives to increase export capacity, ensure fuel availability to attract domestic and foreign investment, allow investors to repatriate dividends and capital safely, and improve the business and investment climate.
He said the government prioritises a favourable investment environment and is focusing on free access for Bangladeshi products in international markets to meet commercial challenges after LDC graduation.
Speakers said Bangladesh has fallen behind in the halal-products market, worth about $3 trillion globally, with its participation still below $1 billion. Lack of policies, research, technology, skilled workers and financing has held the sector back.
They said increasing Bangladesh’s participation requires coordinated action from production through quality control, certification, exports and marketing. They also highlighted complications in the current certification system, where BSTI and the Islamic Foundation both issue halal certificates, confusing entrepreneurs.
They proposed an independent halal-certification agency to make certification simpler, more transparent and internationally compliant, which could expand global markets for Bangladeshi halal products and increase export earnings.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report