Visiting UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Baroness Winterton, met today with exporters from a range of sectors. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, April 9, 2026 (BSS) – The two -way trade will form the foundation of a stronger Bangladesh-UK partnership in line with benefits of preferential market access under Britain’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). 

It was highlighted when visiting UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Winterton met exporters from a range of sectors to assess how the DCTS is supporting business growth and export diversification.

Under the scheme, the UK offers zero tariffs on 98 percent of products, along with simplified rules of origin, aimed at enhancing competitiveness of Bangladeshi goods in the British market, said the British High Commission here today. 
 
DCTS also provided duty-free access on 92 percent of products beyond Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

The mission said that the initiative reflected the UK’s commitment to fostering sustainable trade ties that benefit both countries, with a focus on expanding Bangladesh’s export base.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke held a meeting with Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Brigadier General (Retd) Dr A K M Shamsul Islam to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral defence and security cooperation.

The two sides discussed ways to deepen collaboration in defence engagement, underscoring the growing breadth of Bangladesh-UK relations.