Bangladesh and Indonesia advance strategic trade negotiations

Bangladesh is aggressively pursuing various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) to maintain export competitiveness as it prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The government is negotiating with several partners, including the European Union, South Korea, and the UAE, while also seeking entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In bilateral discussions, a Bangladeshi delegation met with Indian officials at the 16th Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group on Trade. Dhaka requested that India remove restrictions on exports through Indian land ports and withdraw anti-dumping duties on jute and PET film products. Bangladesh also sought continued preferential market access to mitigate potential duties following its LDC graduation.

Separately, Indonesia has made progress in its own trade negotiations. Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir announced that substantive negotiations for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) have been completed. Additionally, CEPA agreements with Canada and Peru have been signed, with ongoing talks involving the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mercosur, Turkey, and other partners.