A high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) met with Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), to discuss labor law reforms, GSP+ facilities in the post-LDC era, and avenues for strengthening EU–Bangladesh partnerships.

The EU delegation was led by H.E. Michael Miller, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh and Head of the EU Delegation in Dhaka. He was accompanied by Dr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Head of Delegation, and Ms. Lole Valentian Lucchese, Programme Manager for Human Capital Development.

The BGMEA President was joined by Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan; Vice President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman, Vice President Vidya Amrit Khan, and Md. Shehab Udduza Chowdhury; as well as Directors Mohammed Abdur Rahim, Faisal Samad, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz, and Dr. Rashid Ahamed Hossaini.

Discussions focused on the significance and implementation of the time-bound Labour Roadmap recently submitted by the Government of Bangladesh to the EU, a comprehensive plan aimed at advancing the country's labour sector. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan also underscored the industry’s recent progress in workplace safety, worker welfare, and other key areas.

BGMEA leaders reiterated that, following Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC category in 2026, the country will be eligible for GSP+ preferences. They appealed to the EU to consider relaxing the scheme’s 37% threshold to safeguard export performance and preserve Bangladesh’s competitive position in the EU market. In light of the industry’s substantial achievements in sustainability and green transition, they expressed optimism that such adjustments would be granted.

Highlighting the mutual benefits of existing duty-free access, BGMEA emphasized that EU buyers also gain from competitively priced apparel sourced from Bangladesh. They called for these advantages to be duly reflected in buyers’ sourcing policies.

Ambassador Miller noted that post-LDC graduation, Bangladesh will face the realities of open-market competition. He stressed the need to prioritize infrastructure development, improve operational efficiency at Chattogram Port, and strengthen both capacity and skills across sectors. He also underlined the importance of expanding the use of renewable energy in the country’s industrial base.