Staff Reporter :
Belgium has assured Bangladesh’s Interim Government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, of its support in securing the continuation of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status beyond 2029, as well as an additional six years of International Support Measures (ISM) for countries in transition.
This commitment was made during the Second Political Consultations between Bangladesh and Belgium held in Dhaka on Sunday.
During the meeting, Bangladesh sought Belgium’s support through the EU to its bid for the GSP+ beyond 2029 and for an additional 6 (six) years International Support Measures (ISP) for countries in transition in the context of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in 2026.
The GSP+ status, a preferential trade scheme that offers duty-free access to EU markets, is crucial for Bangladesh, especially as it faces the challenges posed by its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.
The International Support Measures (ISM) would provide vital assistance to mitigate the potential economic and trade impacts of the LDC graduation.
The GSP+ scheme allows countries like Bangladesh to export its products to the EU without facing tariff barriers, boosting its economy and job creation
in key sectors such as textiles and garments.
As a LDC, Bangladesh benefits from the most favorable regime available under the EU’s GSP, namely the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement. EBA grants the 46 LDCs – including Bangladesh – duty-free, quota-free access to the EU for exports of all products, except arms and ammunition.
With Bangladesh’s upcoming LDC graduation in 2026, the government has expressed concerns about losing these vital trade privileges, and Belgium’s support is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring continued access to EU markets.
The Bangladesh delegation at the Consultations was led by Ambassador Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Belgian delegation was led by Jeroen Cooreman, Director General (Bilateral Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium.
Non-resident Ambassador of Belgium to Bangladesh, Didier Vanderhasselt and representatives from different Ministries of the Government of Bangladesh also joined the Consultations.
The discussion started with a brief discussion on the student-led mass uprising in July and August this year and priorities of the Interim Government including restoring law and order, bringing the economy back on track, and systemic reform of the state institutions, among others.
Ambassador Islam thanked Belgium for reiterating their support in expressing readiness to engage with the Interim Government.
The Bangladesh co-Chair also recalled Her Majesty Queen Mathilde’s visit to Bangladesh during February 2023 when she visited Rohingya camps and appreciated Belgium’s continued support towards a resolution of Rohingya crisis.
In this regard, the co-Chair apprised of the Chief Adviser’s letter to the UNSG, requesting for an all-stakeholder meeting in early 2025.
Belgium shared that there is growing diverse interests from Belgian businesses about Bangladesh, not only as an export destination but also as a manufacturing sourcing point to invest in Bangladesh by Belgian entrepreneurs.
Both parties also expressed hope of cooperation in cancer research under the auspices of an MOU between NICRH-BD and Bordet Cancer Institute-BE.
Both the parties agreed to work together in dealing with improving human rights condition, the existential threat of climate change in a sustainable manner while implementing loss and damage funding responsibilities.
Discussions also took place over issues pertaining to the Indo-Pacific, war in Ukraine and atrocities committed at the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Both sides agreed that the Bangladesh-Belgium 3rd Political Consultations would take place in Brussels at a mutually convenient date in 2025.
