The Bangladesh-European Union Joint Commission meeting focused on the status of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Europe and sought revisions to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) policy.
Bangladesh requested revisions to the GSP framework, aiming for continued market access after graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
The meeting also addressed possible multilateral efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
The 11th Joint Commission meeting was held on Monday (November 4) at the NEC Conference room in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Quader Siddiqui led the Bangladeshi delegation, while Paula Pampaloni, EU Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, represented the European Union.
EU talent partnership programme: Legal skilled migration
According to meeting sources, the EU aims to recruit more skilled workers through its Talent Partnership Program, with an interest in hiring Bangladeshi professionals across sectors including ICT, caregiving, construction, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, agro-processing, shipbuilding, and ready-made garments. European countries like Germany, Italy, Greece, and Romania are keen to employ Bangladeshi workers, and a roadmap is being prepared to facilitate legal migration under this partnership.
The EU launched the Talent Partnership Program in April 2022, opening the door to skilled workers from countries outside the EU. Bangladesh aims to capitalise on this programme to increase opportunities for legal migration to Europe, while also advocating for the legalization of undocumented Bangladeshis currently residing in Europe.
Revisions to the GSP scheme for economic transition
Bangladesh presented several GSP-related demands to the EU delegation, including a review of safeguard clauses to support continued duty-free market access for its exports, particularly in the garment sector. As Bangladesh prepares for its LDC graduation in 2024, it seeks to extend the GSP benefit period, avoiding a sudden imposition of tariffs that could affect its exports.
The EU has granted Bangladesh a three-year transition period until November 2029, allowing continued access to existing benefits. Discussions also included the possibility of Bangladesh applying for GSP+, which would provide duty-free access to 66 per cent of EU tariff lines, provided Bangladesh meets specific criteria on vulnerability and sustainable development.
Economic impact of global crises and Bangladesh’s economic outlook
The discussion covered the economic challenges Bangladesh has faced post-COVID, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These issues have heightened inflation and driven up prices domestically. Bangladesh cited a GDP growth rate of 7.1 per cent in 2022, which has slowed due to the global economic downturn, with projections of 5.82 per cent for the current fiscal year. Global loans, grants, and debt repayments were also part of the agenda.
The EU emphasised the need for financial sector reforms in Bangladesh, highlighting governance, credit recovery, inflation control, and poverty reduction. The EU recommended sound policy interventions and sustainable reforms in these areas.
Commitment to the Rohingya crisis and human rights initiatives
Both Bangladesh and the EU reiterated their commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis through multilateral initiatives to hold Myanmar accountable. Bangladesh expressed appreciation for the EU’s support of its humanitarian efforts and the collaborative work of NGOs and the international community.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening trade and investment, with the EU serving as Bangladesh’s primary trading partner under the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) policy. Future trade relations will hinge on human rights standards, including labour rights compliance. The EU and Bangladesh agreed to develop a roadmap for labour and human rights reforms in line with International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, as part of a joint commitment to sustainability and fair labour practices.