February Newsletter At A Glance…
Here’s what’s inside this month: key updates on trade, policy dialogue, EuroCham engagements, and member milestones.
In the News This Month!
- RMG Exports to the EU: Price pressures & export growth
- Chattogram Port: February 2026 update
- ALAP News: Interview with EuroCham Chairperson
- LDC Graduation: Bangladesh seeks three-year deferral
Feature Articles
- Green Finance & SMEs: Barriers to accessing green funds
- US Tariffs & Trade: Implications for EU–Bangladesh business
EuroCham Events
- High-level meeting: EuroCham & EU Ambassador Meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
Member Highlights
- Decathlon Bangladesh: 15-year sourcing milestone
- DHL Express & NCC Bank: GoGreen Plus partnership
- Spellbound Communications: Evolution of communication
- CCI Bangladesh: Sustainable community engagement
In The News This Month!
Bangladesh’s RMG Performance in the EU: Price Pressures Amid Sustained Export Growth
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector continues to demonstrate resilience in the European Union (EU) market, although recent data from February 2026 highlights a mixed performance marked by declining unit prices and competitive pressures alongside sustained export growth.
Apparel Prices Decline in the EU
Bangladesh’s apparel unit prices in the European Union fell by 3.84% in 2025 compared to 2024 amid weak consumer demand and intensified competition from rival exporters, even though total export value to the EU increased to €19.41 billion as shipment volumes grew faster than earnings.
Industry insiders highlighted that sluggish retail demand across key European markets, along with aggressive pricing strategies from competitors such as China and India, contributed to the decline in Bangladesh’s apparel prices in the EU market. (The Business Standard)
Five Years of Leading Export Growth
At the same time, Bangladesh has led ready-made garment (RMG) export growth to the EU for five consecutive years, with export value rising from €14.30 billion in 2021 to €19.41 billion in 2025, marking a 35.81% increase and strengthening its position in the European market. Although the EU’s RMG import market expanded by 24.56% between 2021 and 2025, Bangladesh outpaced major competing countries in terms of growth rate during this period. During the same timeframe, China’s exports increased by 21.48%, India recorded growth of 33.18%, while Turkey’s exports declined by 9.48%, meaning Bangladesh surpassed its main competitors in terms of growth rate and further strengthened its share within the expanded EU market. (Dhaka Tribune)
Recent Slowdown in Shipments
However, recent data also showed that Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the EU declined by about 3.98% in the first seven months of the current financial year (July–January), reflecting tougher competition and weaker global demand despite the country’s longer-term export growth trend. Exports to the EU’s 27 member states fell to $11.34 billion from $11.81 billion during the same period of the previous financial year, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data. Industry insiders said the slowdown was linked to China and India diverting more exports to Europe after facing higher tariffs in the United States, leading to intensified price competition, while global apparel consumption remained slow. Although EU apparel imports rose by nearly 7% between January and November, Bangladesh’s share declined, with exports falling in major markets such as Germany, France, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, even as shipments increased in Spain, the Netherlands and Poland. Overall, Bangladesh’s total garment exports fell by 2.43% during the seven-month period, standing at $22.98 billion. (Apparel Views)
The February 2026 updates present a nuanced picture of Bangladesh’s RMG performance in the EU — sustained long-term export growth and market leadership alongside short-term price compression and competitive pressures. While export value trends remain positive over the five-year horizon, recent data underscores the challenges posed by weak demand and intensified global competition in the European market.
Najifa Arshad
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
Chattogram Port — February 2026*
Port operations were severely disrupted in early February as workers and employees at Chattogram Port launched protests against the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.
Timeline : Chittagong port strike
- Following three days of eight-hour work stoppages, a 24-hour strike began on 3 February, bringing container handling and cargo movement to a halt. (The Business Standard)
- By 4 February, the strike escalated into an indefinite shutdown, suspending operations at jetties, terminals, yards, and sheds, and severely disrupting import and export cargo flows. (Dhaka Tribune ).
- On 9 February, port workers announced a temporary suspension of the strike until 15 February after the government stated that the NCT lease agreement would be put on hold during the current tenure. (The Business Standard)
Despite the temporary relief, operational tensions and cargo congestion persisted throughout mid-February. (The Business Standard)
By mid-to-late February, backlog and vessel congestion began easing following the suspension of strike activities and the lifting of election-related closures.
Daily container handling increased to around 5,000 TEUs, and the number of waiting vessels gradually declined, though yard congestion remained elevated. (The Daily Star)
Rail capacity constraints further complicated container evacuation, with yard storage exceeding official limits and limited freight train operations available for inland movement. (The Business Standard)
7 February: EuroCham Urged Immediate Resumption of Chattogram Port Operations
On 7 February, EuroCham Bangladesh expressed serious concern over ongoing disruptions at Chattogram Port, warning that prolonged work stoppages were causing mounting economic losses and undermining confidence in Bangladesh’s supply chain reliability.
EuroCham highlighted that Chattogram Port handles over 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s international trade and that operations had nearly come to a standstill due to the strike.
According to reports, approximately 13,000 export containers valued at around US$660 million (Tk 80 billion) were stranded at port facilities, private depots and vessels unable to berth or depart.
The Chamber warned that export schedules were being disrupted, delivery deadlines were being missed and additional logistics costs were accumulating for businesses reliant on timely shipments. Media reports noted that EuroCham members and European brands sourcing from Bangladesh were expressing growing concern over missed delivery windows and rising logistics costs due to the disruptions.
EuroCham called for the immediate and full resumption of port operations and urged stakeholders to resolve the dispute through constructive dialogue to safeguard national economic interests.
(The Daily Star, The Financial Express, Dhaka Tribune , Daily Sun, The Business Standard, BSS News, Daily TIMES of Bangladesh)
February saw significant disruption at Chattogram Port due to strike actions, leading to stalled exports, mounting financial losses and widespread concern among the business community. While operations gradually resumed and congestion began easing toward the end of the month, the episode underscored the critical importance of uninterrupted port operations for Bangladesh’s trade stability and export competitiveness.
Najifa Arshad
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
Decoding Diplomacy on ALAP News: EuroCham Chairperson on EU–Bangladesh Trade, FTA Urgency, and Investment Reforms
EuroCham Bangladesh Chairperson Nuria Lopez recently appeared on Decoding Diplomacy on ALAP News, where she discussed the future of EU–Bangladesh trade relations and the urgent need to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
During the interview, Ms. Nuria Lopez emphasized that an FTA would provide long-term stability for Bangladesh’s trade relationship with the European Union, particularly in light of the country’s upcoming LDC graduation and the gradual loss of EBA preferences. She noted that regional competitors such as Vietnam and India are advancing their own trade agreements with the EU, making it essential for Bangladesh to proactively position itself within the evolving global trade landscape.
She also highlighted the importance of economic diversification, stressing that Bangladesh cannot rely solely on the RMG sector. Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and renewable energy initiatives involving SMEs were identified as promising areas for growth and European investment. EuroCham, she noted, is working to attract long-term, job-creating European industries, reinforcing Bangladesh’s potential as a competitive manufacturing hub.
Addressing the investment climate, she underscored the need for continued reforms, including greater transparency, customs modernization, reduction of non-tariff barriers, predictable regulatory frameworks, and improved port efficiency. Strengthening these areas, she stated, would enhance investor confidence and improve Bangladesh’s global competitiveness and branding.
The discussion also touched on broader geopolitical and trade dynamics, reaffirming the importance of balanced and constructive EU–Bangladesh economic engagement.
Najifa Arshad
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
Bangladesh Requests Three-Year Deferral of LDC Graduation as UN Begins Review
Bangladesh has formally requested the United Nations to defer its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by three years, proposing a new timeline of November 2029 instead of the current target of November 2026. The request was submitted by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (UN CDP) shortly after the new government assumed office. Officials cited a range of domestic and global challenges that have disrupted the preparatory period for graduation, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, global supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and financial-sector instability. The government has also invoked the crisis-response provision under the UN CDP’s Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism (EMM) to support its request (The Financial Express, 2026; Dhaka Tribune, 2026)
The UN CDP discussed Bangladesh’s application during its 28th plenary session in New York in February and has initiated a process to assess the request. The review will examine the factors cited by Bangladesh and compare them with previously submitted graduation readiness reports. According to CDP members, the committee will determine whether the country faces exceptional circumstances that justify an extension of the preparatory period. Following the assessment, recommendations will be forwarded to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and subsequently to the UN General Assembly, where a final decision on the graduation timeline will be taken (The Business Standard, 2026; The Daily Star, 2026).
The request for deferral comes amid growing discussion among policymakers, economists, and business leaders about the economic implications of graduation. Bangladesh currently benefits from preferential trade arrangements under LDC status, including duty-free market access in many markets and flexibilities in intellectual property rules. Stakeholders have noted that the withdrawal of these benefits could affect export competitiveness, particularly in sectors such as ready-made garments and pharmaceuticals, while also increasing compliance requirements in areas such as labour, environmental standards, and intellectual property. Business associations and analysts have therefore emphasised the importance of additional preparation time to strengthen export diversification, trade diplomacy, and the implementation of Bangladesh’s Smooth Transition Strategy before graduation (The Business Standard, 2026; The Daily Star, 2026). Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, expressed concern about Bangladesh’s readiness to compete internationally once LDC trade preferences are withdrawn, noting that the country still needs significant reforms before it can fully operate without these advantages. She further emphasised that if a deferral is granted, the additional time should be used with a clear reform roadmap to strengthen competitiveness and prepare the economy for a post-LDC environment (Alap, 2026)
Sirajam Munira Binte Hafiz
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
Feature Article
Without SME-friendly steps, green funds won’t work
– Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director, Denim Expert Limited
A news report published in The Daily Star early this month highlighted many factory owners’ struggle to access the much-heralded Green Transformation Fund (GTF). As a garment factory owner, the struggle felt uncomfortably familiar to me. Everyone agrees we must modernise. Everyone says “go green.” Yet, when a factory tries to invest, our financial system too often responds with delays, duplicated paperwork, and shifting requirements. If we, as garment makers, fail to shift to renewable energy and cleaner production, our customers will go elsewhere. That is the direction of travel in global sourcing.
Brands are setting climate targets, investors are asking questions and regulators are tightening rules on carbon claims. Buyers are increasingly demanding evidence from their supply chains, which include factories like mine. Bangladesh Bank’s Tk 10,000 crore GTF was meant to be a solution to many of the challenges factories face in accessing so-called green finance. Yet, SMEs struggle to access it, while larger, better-connected groups are more successful…Read the full article published in The Daily Star
Mostafiz Uddin
Managing Director, Denim Expert Limited
Implications for EU–Bangladesh Business Relations Under the US Tariffs and US–Bangladesh Reciprocal Trade Agreement
How February’s US tariff turbulence and the new BD–US Reciprocal Trade Agreement could reshape competitive conditions for European business in Bangladesh
In February 2026, Bangladesh’s trade landscape shifted rapidly as Bangladesh and the United States announced that the countries are entering into an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and the US subsequently entered a period of tariff policy volatility following a US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of “reciprocal” tariffs. Together, these developments carry direct implications for the business ecosystem in Bangladesh—particularly in sectors where tariffs, standards recognition, and procurement commitments determine competitiveness.
What Happened: A Deal, then Immediate Uncertainty
On 9 February 2026, Bangladesh and the United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement designed to deepen bilateral economic ties. The signing was followed by an announcement that the US had reduced the tariff on Bangladeshi exports from 20% to 19%, and that around 2,500 Bangladeshi products would receive duty-free or reduced-duty access, while Bangladesh would open similar terms for roughly 4,400 US products. The same report highlighted that garments made with US cotton will enjoy zero-duty access to the US market, alongside pharmaceuticals, fisheries products, particle board and food items. (The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026).
Within days, debate shifted to implementation details—especially the “cotton clause.” Industry leaders warned that removing the new reciprocal tariff for US-cotton garments does not necessarily make exports duty-free, because the existing Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) duty (around 16.5%) still applies. Under this reading, Bangladeshi garments could face a combined duty burden of about 35.5% unless the concession applies. Analysts also flagged ambiguity in the agreement text, including a potentially volume-limited “zero reciprocal tariff” system tied to Bangladesh’s imports of US cotton and man-made fibre (The Daily Star, 15 Feb 2026).
Meanwhile, further details on Bangladesh’s market access commitments emerged. Bangladesh would provide duty-free access to 7,132 US products (all but 326 products), while Bangladesh’s duty-free access in the US would apply to 2,500 items; large shares of US tariff lines became duty-free immediately, with others phased out over 5–10 years. The same report described extensive provisions on digital trade, SPS/TBT recognition, IPR, and acceptance of US certifications in areas such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026).
Then came a second shock: the US Supreme Court struck down the legal basis for the earlier reciprocal tariff regime, leading to questions about the durability of tariff promises embedded in the deal. After the ruling, the US president announced a temporary 10% across-the-board tariff, later raised to 15%, creating immediate uncertainty for exporters and raising questions over whether the February 9 agreement would remain operative, lapse, or be renegotiated. Commentators cautioned that even if the reciprocal tariff mechanism was invalidated, commitments in the bilateral deal might still be invoked by Washington, and the US could use other statutes to impose trade measures (The Daily Star, 21 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 22 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 22 Feb 2026).
These developments were not limited to Bangladesh: the European Commission publicly insisted that “a deal is a deal” and demanded clarity from Washington on how it would proceed after the court ruling—underscoring that tariff unpredictability undermines confidence and disrupts markets (The Business Standard, 23 Feb 2026).
Why This Matters for EU Business: Competitiveness, Predictability, and Standards
From EuroCham’s perspective, the ART signals not only tariff changes but also potential competitive re-ordering in Bangladesh’s market—particularly if US suppliers receive preferential regulatory treatment and expedited market entry while EU companies continue under MFN terms.
Tariff Reduction and Market Access: Potential Price Disadvantage for EU Suppliers
The agreement provides tariff reductions and preferential market access for US-originating goods. If implemented as described publicly, US exporters may face lower duties than EU suppliers still operating under MFN conditions—raising the risk of EU companies losing price competitiveness in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles, and industrial goods (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026).
Customs and Clearance: Potential Economy-wide Benefit—if Implemented Credibly
The agreement includes commitments on standards recognition, reduced duplicative testing, electronic documentation, and expedited customs release for low-risk shipments (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026). These measures largely reflect established best practices and WTO-aligned trade facilitation principles. If implemented consistently and applied in line with non-discrimination disciplines, such reforms could improve border processing for all trading partners, including EU exporters and investors—helping Bangladesh integrate more effectively into global value chains.
On the other hand, the reality on the ground remains that adopting international standards in customs procedures has historically been challenging, despite sustained advocacy and long-standing engagement with relevant government authorities. Major European logistics companies have invested considerable time and resources over many years in dialogue and technical cooperation with public institutions to support modernisation of customs practices. However, despite repeated discussions on this matter, no tangible operational improvements have taken place to date.
Sectoral Implications for EU–Bangladesh Commercial Interests
Aviation Procurement: Airbus–Boeing Balance Under Pressure
Public reporting indicates Bangladesh pledged major purchases of Boeing aircraft as part of broader commitments connected to the deal (The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026). This matters in a market where Bangladesh’s purchasing capacity is limited and fleet decisions can lock in long-term ecosystems for maintenance, training, parts, and services. The ART could be interpreted as signalling a strategic tilt toward US aerospace suppliers, which may influence Bangladesh’s future procurement direction.
Against this backdrop, the European Union and EuroCham Bangladesh have continued to engage with relevant stakeholders to support a transparent, competitive procurement environment in Bangladesh’s aviation sector. The EU has underscored that European economic operators should be able to compete on the basis of commercial merit and should not be treated less favourably than other trading partners. In parallel, EuroCham has reiterated its interest in being a long-term partner in Bangladesh’s aviation sector development—including through training, maintenance capacity, and expertise transfer—while stressing that procurement decisions should not disadvantage European companies as a means of reducing trade deficits with other partners. EuroCham has also noted that Bangladesh’s trade deficit with Europe is already significantly larger than with other regions, and will continue to raise these concerns in Dhaka and in Brussels where necessary.
In operational terms, Airbus’ latest aircraft families are positioned around measurable efficiency improvements—for example, Airbus states the A320neo offers around 20% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions (alongside a reduced noise footprint and lower airframe maintenance costs) versus previous-generation aircraft, and the A350 around 25% lower fuel burn and CO₂ per seat compared with previous-generation aircraft in its category (Airbus). These efficiency claims are also broadly consistent with independent fleet-planning analysis that assesses whether the A320neo is on track to deliver the targeted fuel-burn improvement versus earlier-generation comparators across representative routes (Aircraft Commerce). International reporting likewise notes that newer aircraft types such as the A350 can materially reduce emissions per passenger compared with older aircraft, while outcomes still vary by route and cabin configuration (The Guardian).
RMG/Textiles: the “Cotton Clause” and Supply-Chain Leverage
The most commercially visible element for Bangladesh is the promise of zero-duty access for apparel exports to the US conditional on using US cotton and man-made fibre inputs (The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 15 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026).
However, two uncertainties loom:
- Whether “zero reciprocal tariffs” translates to truly duty-free entry, given existing MFN duties in the US (The Daily Star, 15 Feb 2026).
- Whether the benefit is volume-limited and tied to Bangladesh’s purchases of US inputs (The Daily Star, 15 Feb 2026).
For the EU, the implications are indirect but important. The EU remains Bangladesh’s largest garment export market, and any shift in Bangladesh’s upstream sourcing—toward US cotton as a policy-linked incentive—could gradually affect EU-linked supply chains and bargaining dynamics. EuroCham flagged three practical concerns at this stage:
- Potential US cotton price hikes if demand rises due to preferential treatment for US-input garments, affecting European customers that use US cotton for traceability.
- Capacity constraints if US orders surge under revised tariffs and conditional preferences.
- Operational uncertainty as buyers may shift to smaller, shorter-term orders amid tariff volatility (The Business Standard, 22 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 22 Feb 2026).
Agriculture and Dairy: Regulatory Recognition and Competitive Positioning
The ART includes provisions reported to facilitate entry for US agricultural goods through SPS recognition and reduced barriers, including acceptance of US certification for certain food and agricultural products. Bangladesh has also committed to increased imports of US commodities, including wheat and soybeans (The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026). For wheat specifically, Bangladesh’s sourcing is diversified, and a US supply shift may not displace EU suppliers directly in the near term. However, the broader signal is that regulatory recognition and commercial facilitation could strengthen US positioning over time in cereals, cotton, and agri-input markets. At the same time, the expansion of regulatory recognition raises broader considerations regarding differences in international food safety and agricultural production standards.
Regulatory approaches to food safety and agricultural production differ across jurisdictions, which is why some US dairy products face restrictions in certain markets including the EU, Canada, and Japan—not a blanket ban. Differences also exist in areas such as permitted food additives, pesticide and contaminant residue limits, and broader sanitary standards applied to agricultural products. For example, the EU prohibits the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST/rBGH) in dairy cows, while the US permits FDA‑approved bovine somatotropin use (even though it is not universally used across all farms) (EUR-Lex). These differences reflect, in part, contrasting regulatory philosophies: the EU’s precautionary principle and EFSA‑anchored food law framework often translate into stricter controls on production methods and contaminants (EUR-Lex). A practical example is aflatoxin M1 in milk, where the EU sets a maximum level of 0.050 µg/kg for milk (and 0.025 µg/kg for infant foods), compared with the US FDA action level of 0.5 ppb for fluid milk (MDPI). Differences may also arise around permitted additives and agricultural inputs, maximum residue limits for pesticides/contaminants, and the degree of farm‑to‑fork traceability required to demonstrate compliance (EUR-Lex).
As Bangladesh expands regulatory recognition of US agricultural certifications under the ART, it will be important to ensure that domestic oversight remains robust, consumer confidence is safeguarded, and implementation stays aligned with internationally recognised food safety standards.
Energy: LNG Commitments and Market Structure
The agreement reportedly includes significant LNG-related purchasing commitments and a push to expand US-origin imports (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026).
Bangladesh’s LNG imports are currently concentrated among a small group of suppliers, primarily in the Middle East, supplemented by purchases from the global spot market. Long-term supply contracts are dominated by QatarEnergy (Qatar) and OQ Trading (Oman), which together provide a substantial share of Bangladesh’s contracted LNG volumes. Qatar remains the single largest supplier, accounting for the majority of long-term imports through multi-year agreements with Petrobangla. In addition to these contracts, Bangladesh regularly purchases LNG cargoes on the international spot market, sourcing from global traders and suppliers including companies operating from the United States, Singapore, China, and Europe.
Since Bangladesh’s LNG procurement has not historically been EU-centric, the direct displacement risk for EU LNG exporters appears limited. Still, large long-term commitments can reshape market structure and contracting patterns, with implications for competition and energy security.
Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, and Regulatory Alignment
Publicly available information indicates that the agreement includes acceptance of US certification for medical devices and pharmaceuticals under certain conditions (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026). EuroCham will be watching closely: as EuroCham seeks to attract greater European investment in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, a regulatory environment that increasingly aligns with US-specific standards—without parallel recognition for EU frameworks, could affect investor confidence and complicate efforts to position Bangladesh as an attractive destination for diversified European industrial participation.
Motor Vehicles and Parts: Asymmetry in Standards Recognition
Public reporting indicates the ART includes preferential acceptance of US standards and certifications in multiple sectors (The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026). In the automotive space, any automatic recognition of US vehicle and emissions standards—without equivalent recognition of EU/UNECE standards—could create a structural advantage for US imports while European manufacturers face additional certification burdens and market-entry friction.
EuroCham notes that such regulatory asymmetry may translate into tangible commercial disadvantages for European manufacturers, even in the absence of explicit tariff differentials.
The Larger Issue: Predictability and Non-Discriminatory Treatment
Across various reports, one theme dominates: uncertainty. Exporters welcomed relief when the reciprocal tariff regime was struck down, but warned that shifting US policy (10% to 15% within days) makes planning difficult and pushes buyers toward shorter-term orders (The Business Standard, 22 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 22 Feb 2026). Analysts also cautioned that the US may still seek to hold partner countries to concessions granted under signed agreements, even as the tariff instrument shifts (The Business Standard, 22 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 22 Feb 2026).
The US–Bangladesh Reciprocal Trade Agreement and subsequent tariff upheaval represent a turning point: Bangladesh is navigating a more geopolitical and conditional global trade environment, while major partners—including the EU—are signalling that certainty and the sanctity of negotiated terms matter (The Business Standard, 23 Feb 2026). For European business, the priority is not only the tariff number, but a stable, transparent, and non-discriminatory policy environment in Bangladesh. EuroCham will therefore monitor:
- Whether ART commitments are applied consistently across partners in line with WTO Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principles;
- Whether “standards recognition” evolves into partner-specific regulatory preference; and
- Whether Bangladesh pursues a structured framework (including exploring pathways such as an EU–Bangladesh FTA) to ensure balanced market access and predictable rules for all major economic partners.
Sources: EuroCham Bangladesh, The Daily Star, 10 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 15 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 15 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 17 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 21 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 22 Feb 2026; The Daily Star, 22 Feb 2026; The Business Standard, 23 Feb 2026; Husch Blackwell LLP; Aircraft Commerce; Airbus; The Guardian
Nujhat Anjum Silva
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
EuroCham Events
EuroCham and EU Ambassador Meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
1 February 2026, Dhaka: Ms. Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham), and H.E. Michael Miller, Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, joined a meeting with the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on 1 February 2026. Ms. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator for SDGs Affairs, was also present.
During the meeting, the Chief Adviser called for the early initiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Bangladesh and the European Union, stressing the importance of safeguarding duty-free access to the EU market as Bangladesh moves towards graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, stating, “We definitely hope to sign an FTA with the EU to expand our market.”
Discussions also focused on accelerating European investment, ensuring smooth EU–Bangladesh trade relations, and advancing reforms to further improve the business climate. Professor Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s recent Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, noting, “The EPA with Japan has opened doors for us. It gives renewed hope to our export items,” and expressed interest in pursuing similar arrangements with the EU to ensure long-term market access, particularly for the ready-made garments sector.
EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez underlined the urgency of initiating FTA talks, stating, “We are advocating for an FTA. I will go to Europe to encourage private companies to invest in Bangladesh,” and noting their potential to attract greater European investment, generate employment, and strengthen Bangladesh’s export competitiveness. H.E. Michael Miller reaffirmed the EU’s strong interest in expanding investment and technology cooperation, expressed readiness to organise an EU–Bangladesh Business Forum in 2026, and emphasised the need for early political signals, stating, “We are looking for early political signals that EU companies will be encouraged to come and will enjoy a level playing field.”
Sources: EuroCham BD, Chief Adviser GoB (Facebook), 1 February 2026.
Nujhat Anjum Silva
Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh
Members Highlights
15 Years of Vitality: Celebrating Decathlon Bangladesh’s Sourcing Milestone
This year marks a monumental chapter in our journey. Decathlon Bangladesh has recently gathered 230 teammates to celebrate 15 years of sourcing excellence —a decade and a half defined by learning, challenges, growth and a shared passion for sport.
Moving as One Team Since 2010 With Our Core Values Vitality,Responsibility, Generosity & Authenticity, Today Bangladesh stands as the third biggest sourcing hub for Decathlon United & has become the heartbeat for the company’s global mission. Every teammate has played a vital role in serving our core purpose:
“Bring people together through sports to make well-being accessible for all.”
What started as a focused operation has evolved into a benchmark for the entire country, proving that industrial scale and human-centric values can go hand-in-hand.
While our roots are firm in Garments and Textiles, the last 15 years have seen a bold expansion into new horizons. Today, our footprint in Bangladesh spans across Technical Sports Footwear, Durable Bags & Backpacks, Outdoor Tents & Camping Gears.
This diversification isn’t just about products—it’s about people. We are proud to announce that our operations now successfully contribute to approx 500,000 beneficiaries, creating a ripple effect of economic stability and opportunity across the country.
As we look toward the next 15 years, our “North Star” remains clear on few key pillars:
- A Happy Workplace: Cultivating an environment where every teammate, every operator feels empowered and valued.
- Upskilling Local Talent: Investing in the professional DNA of our people to lead the industry of tomorrow and creating future leaders.
- Sustainable Manufacturing: Leading the charge in green production to ensure that while we protect the athlete, we also protect their playground—the planet.
- Component Localization: Developing a strong local “Backward Linkage” (especially synthetic & performance based component) is vital to protect competitiveness, lead-time reduction & de-risking imports dependencies.
“15 years is just the warm-up. Thank you to our 230 teammates for making sport accessible for millions worldwide.”
Let’s Bring People Together Through Sports To Make Well Being Accessible For All.
DHL Express Bangladesh partners with NCC Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through GoGreen Plus service
DHL Express is proud to support NCC Bank in lowering the greenhouse gas emissions of the bank’s international air shipments through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service by 30%.
DHL’s GoGreen Plus service empowers NCC Bank to reduce their Scope 3 emissions – the indirect greenhouse gas emissions inherent within a company’s value chain, predominantly in up- and downstream transportation and distribution. This unique “insetting” approach allows the bank to curtail the carbon emissions associated with their shipments. Through the book & claim system, DHL can substitute fossil fuels with sustainable fuels across its network and assign the resulting environmental benefits to customers who invest in these solutions—even if their shipments are not physically transported using assets powered by these fuels.
DHL Express’s GoGreen Plus stands as the sole solution within the global express logistics sector that enables customers to leverage Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in minimizing emissions linked to their shipments.
Md. Miarul Haque, Managing Director of DHL Express Bangladesh, said, “We are thrilled to welcome NCC Bank to our GoGreen Plus initiative. By adopting sustainable aviation fuel, NCC Bank is taking a meaningful step toward reducing the environmental footprint of its shipments. Together, we can accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel across the air transport industry.”
In 2023, DHL Express launched the GoGreen Plus service, allowing customers to reduce the CO2e emissions associated with their air freight with the help of SAF. GoGreen Plus is made possible by three of the most significant SAF contracts with BP, Neste, Cosmo Energy and Cathay Group. SAF is made from alternative raw materials with a lower-emission energy profile, including used cooking oil, waste and hydrogen. Conventional jet fuels are derived from mineral oil.
GoGreen Plus supports DHL Group’s global commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, prioritizing sustainable air transportation, a critical focus as the air network represents the largest share of the company’s carbon footprint.
Spellbound Communications Limited: Embracing the Magic of Evolution of Conversation
Rage bait: Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account.
Parasocial: Involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know, a character in a book, film, TV series, etc., or an artificial intelligence.
Ai Slop: Digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.
These words are the Words of the Year 2025 in Oxford, Cambridge and Merriam-Webster dictionaries respectively and reflect today’s technology-driven discourse. Yet they also reveal something deeper: how profoundly technology now shapes our social psyche and the way we communicate.
What the world of science-fiction and utopia has feared for a long time, and many have fantasized, has come true now: technology can connect and can have a conversation with you. Now, so what? Technology can do a lot of things since its beginning, what’s so important if they can talk? The evolution is always happening, how this is different?
The difference is ‘Conversation’. Merely a harmless, indifferent word, yet it is the beginning of every leap forward (or some backward too) in the history.
From the dawn of civilization, language and communication have formed the foundation of human networks and collective intelligence. Without conversation, humanity could not share knowledge, exchange ideas, or build societies that move toward the future. Every transformation cultural, social, or technological has always begun with a conversation.
Conversation carries ideas, stories, and meaning. And with the rise of new world order, driven by data, technology, artificial intelligence, conversation has evolved as well. As the world is evolving, technology is advancing, the evolution of conversation is becoming more powerful than ever.
At Spellbound, the evolution of conversation lies at the heart of everything we do. As the world changes and technology advances, conversation evolves and reshapes how we connect. At Spellbound, we believe every idea, story, and movement begins with a conversation—
one that connects people, influences ideas, shapes perspectives, sparks creativity, and brings people closer together to build a better tomorrow.
We envision a future where conversation is not just louder, but wiser; not just faster, but more human. And we hope to bring the creative spark of conversation forward for a better tomorrow.
Spellbound Communications Limited, a member of Spellbound Network, is an organization that emphasizes on communication through conversation. The network of Spellbound has been built for 17 years and ranges including communication, technology, tourism and culture, healthcare, modern learning, social development and more.
To know more about Spellbound Communications, visit: www.spellboundbd.com.
Advancing Sustainable Communities: CCI Bangladesh Engages with Sonar Bangla High School
On 19 January 2026, CCI Bangladesh reaffirmed its dedication to community development with the launch of a community engagement initiative at Sonar Bangla High School. As part of the company’s ongoing corporate social responsibility journey, the initiative brought together students, teachers, and CCI Volunteers for a range of activities focused on sustainability, health awareness, and improved school facility usage. The initiative also benefits CCI’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments, where Community is the 9th commitment: reach up to 3.5M people until 2030 with our sustainable development programs.
Strengthening School Infrastructure
A key highlight of the engagement was the renovation of the school’s bicycle stand originally constructed by CCI Bangladesh to promote environmentally friendly transportation. The upgraded facility now provides safer and more efficient parking for students’ bicycles, creating an environment that encourages healthy transport habits and a well-maintained school environment.
Additionally, CCI Bangladesh renovated the school’s water filtration plant, another structure originally built by the company in previous years to support access to safe drinking water for students and staff. The restored filtration system will help the school maintain proper hygiene standards and encourage healthy practices among students.
Promoting Waste Segregation and Clean Campus Practices
During the engagement, students actively participated in a campus cleanup exercise and applied their knowledge from an earlier awareness session to segregate waste correctly. They cleaned classrooms and outdoor areas while identifying and categorizing waste as organic, recyclable, or non-recyclable.
This hands-on activity enhanced students’ understanding of proper waste management, an essential knowledge that supports pollution reduction, recycling, and keeping a cleaner, safer and more pleasant school environment.
WASH and Hygiene Awareness for Female Students
CCI Bangladesh has also conducted a dedicated WASH awareness session for female students. The session addressed key topics such as menstrual hygiene management, appropriate use of sanitation facilities, and the adoption of safe and clean washroom habits.
The learning environment encourages open discussion on topics that are often stigmatized, enabling students to gain valuable knowledge that will support their personal well-being, confidence, and regular school attendance.
Continuing the Journey Toward a Sustainable Future
The initiatives at Sonar Bangla High School reflect CCI Bangladesh’s dedication to community development through impactful and strategic corporate social responsibility programs. Combining social and environmental components, engagement serves as an example of how consistent efforts can support long-term community empowerment.
Progressing towards CCI’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments, CCI Bangladesh plays a vital role in shaping a brighter future for Bangladesh.
Trade and Business Statistics: Bangladesh Bank Data
