A prominent figure from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed that Australia has committed to maintaining duty-free access for Bangladesh’s products even after its anticipated graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.
This assurance was reportedly provided during a meeting held between the BGMEA and the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra in July, as stated by BGMEA President Faruque Hassan.
During this meeting, Gary Cowan, the first assistant secretary of DFAT’s North and South Asia Division, conveyed this commitment, as conveyed by Faruque through WhatsApp to the media.
The gathering was facilitated jointly by the Bangladesh High Commission in Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in Sydney, with participation from representatives of Australian brands and retailers, as well as ACCI members.
Notably, Australia, despite being a non-traditional export destination for Bangladesh, received garments valued at US $ 1.16 billion in the last fiscal year, a substantial increase from less than half a billion dollars a decade ago, according to a statement by the BGMEA.
