EU diplomats may meet BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman this month

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

Sttaff Correspondent: European Union (EU) diplomats are expected to meet BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman this month  and express their willingness to work with the new political government, sources in Dhaka and Brussels said.
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‎Most of the EU diplomats are on yearly-leave and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit the country's northern region during January 11- 14.
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‎Non-resident EU diplomats, stationed in New Delhi, are expected to join the meeting with Tarique Rahman with EU diplomats stationed in Dhaka, sources said.   
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‎Meanwhile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit the country's northern region for four days from 11 January to 14.
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‎BNP has formally informed the concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Returning Officers (RO) today about the visit.
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‎Meanwhile, EU diplomats will discuss some pressing issues like high human rights, good governance, restoring sound law and order situation, protection to minorities, secularism, better business environment, cut in corruption and reconciliation of the country with a view to moving the country into path democracy and economic development.
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‎EU diplomats are expecting to raise social, economic, cultural and political engagement with Bangladesh.
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‎EU diplomats are likely to express their expectations that political parties will work together to skip violence in the next parliament elections to be held on February 12, 2026.
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‎Meanwhile, Bangladesh has been in a catch-22 situation as Brussels will urge Dhaka to reduce tariffs on products of the European Union (EU) against the backdrop of Dhaka’s offer to Washington to reduce tariffs on products of the USA.
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‎The US is the largest market for Bangladeshi readymade garments. Bangladesh exported about $8.4 billion in goods to America in 2024, of which $7.34 billion was readymade garments.
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‎Meanwhile, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham) urges the interim government to avoid discrimination against European Union (EU) companies, as Bangladesh considers offering substantial trade concessions to the United States, said Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh
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‎The EU is Bangladesh’s largest and most reliable trading partner, accounting for half of all exports, with longstanding duty free and quota free preferential access granted to Bangladesh under the everything but Arms scheme since 2001, said Nuria Lopez.
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‎Nuria Lopez, former president of Spain–Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also said that Bangladesh enjoys a notably higher trade surplus with the EU compared to its other trade partners. Out of a total €22 billion trade in 2024, EU exports accounted for only €2 billion, resulting in a trade balance strongly in favor of Bangladesh. High tariffs and non-tariff barriers hinder EU companies’ efforts to do business with and export to Bangladesh.
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‎EuroCham encourages the Government to reaffirm its commitment to a rules-based trading system and to pursue essential trade policy and customs reforms, while ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all trading partners, said Nuria Lopez..
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‎EuroCham stands ready to collaborate with the Government in addressing current challenges and to support a smooth and sustainable transition in the post-LDC graduation phase.
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‎EuroCham is a business initiative that is actively supported by the European Union Delegation and the EU Member States in Bangladesh. The Chamber will serve as a centre of excellence, promoting business relations between European investors and their counterparts in the country.
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‎"Fragmented energy costs across similar operations may erode Bangladesh's competitive edge and discourage both foreign and domestic investment," said EuroCham, pointing out that the proposed structure comes at a time when Bangladesh is actively courting global investors.
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‎Nuria Lopez, chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of a stable policy environment in attracting and retaining European investors.
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‎"Maintaining a predictable and balanced energy tariff regime is essential for ensuring investor confidence and supporting industrial expansion," Lopez said. "We believe a collaborative approach to policy design can help avoid business disruptions and send a positive signal to potential investors."
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‎She also urged BERC to ensure clarity around the reclassification of long-standing industrial users signing new Gas Sales Agreements, cautioning that ambiguity in this area could lead to unnecessary operational and financial uncertainty.
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‎Meanwhile,  negotiations on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA) between the European Union and Bangladesh will be finalised soon, said the visiting Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni  January 7.
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‎Pampaloni revealed the matter when she paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing last evening.
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‎During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues covering Bangladesh–EU relations, including negotiations on the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), the upcoming general elections and referendum, combating illegal migration, and expanding trade and investment.
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‎Pampaloni mentioned that the initiation of negotiations on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA) in November 2024 came after 20 years during which time there was a general partnership agreement.
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‎She congratulated the Chief Adviser for the "incredible and massive" work he has undertaken since assuming leadership of the interim government in August in 2024, particularly in carrying out important reforms to which the European Union, as Bangladesh's political and largest commercial partner, attaches great importance, and ensuring peace and stability at a critical juncture for the country.
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‎"It was remarkable. It was very closely followed and appreciated by the European Union," Pampaloni said, adding that when the interim government took office, the ambition for reforms was huge.
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‎The senior EU official welcomed the progress made on the PCA between the EU and Bangladesh. She said the pact would pave the way for deeper ties between the two partners and open up significant opportunities in trade and investment.