Newsletter March April 2026

Newsletter At A Glance

Here’s what’s inside this edition: key updates on trade, policy reform, energy, EuroCham engagements, and member milestones.

In the News This Month!

LDC Graduation: From Deferment Debate to Readiness Reform
EU–Bangladesh Trade Relation: Emerging Agreement Pathways
Middle East Conflict: Energy and logistics pressures
Bangladesh–US Reciprocal Trade Agreement: March-April Updates
Labour Law Reform: Compliance priority for EU businesses
National Budget FY 2026–27: Tax Reform, Investment Climate, and Revenue Pressures

Feature Articles

Energy Resilience: Industrial Solar Moves Beyond Sustainability
Hybrid Sukuk Bond: Financing major infrastructure projects
Apparel Exports: EU market shifts and Bangladesh’s challenges

Advocacy with Working Groups

Tax, Trade & Customs: EuroCham Advances Pre-Budget Dialogue with NBR

Events

BIDA Meeting: EuroCham leadership engagement
10th Board Meeting: EuroCham governance update
Renewable Energy Financing: SME garment consultation
Italian Design Day: EuroCham attended Embassy of Italy and ISHO dinner

Nordic Business Reception: EuroCham Chairperson attended networking and presentation session
Spanish Language Day: EuroCham attended Spanish musical concert
Arla Foods Product Launch: EuroCham attended DANO Lacto Reduced launch
Improving the Investment Climate: EuroCham joined MCCI–Policy Exchange dialogue
BREF Flagship Event: EuroCham attended renewable energy facility event

Member Highlights

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh: 34% profit growth in 2025
Nupami BD: Spanish Gastronomy Festival
El Corte Inglés: Julio Herrero Pino as General Manager
Auchan Retail: South Asia supplier seminar
DBL Ceramics: International sustainability awards
CMA CGM Bangladesh: Mangrove planting initiative
Control Union Bangladesh: Carbon-neutral sustainability conference
Rahman’s Chambers: Recent highlights and achievements

Trade & Business Statistics

Key Economic Indicators: Bangladesh Bank

In The News This Month!

Bangladesh’s LDC Graduation Debate Shifts Toward Readiness and Reform

Bangladesh’s LDC graduation debate entered a new phase during March and April 2026, with discussions increasingly shifting away from graduation timelines alone toward broader concerns over economic preparedness, institutional readiness, and long-term competitiveness. While the government’s request to defer graduation from November 2026 to November 2029 remains under review by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (UN CDP), recent assessments and policy discussions have focused more heavily on whether Bangladesh is adequately prepared to manage the transition regardless of the final decision. An opinion published in The Daily Star argued that the country’s graduation strategy now requires substantial revision, emphasising that Bangladesh must become “graduation-ready” irrespective of whether deferment is ultimately approved (The Daily Star, 2026). A subsequent analysis similarly stressed that even if graduation is deferred, Bangladesh still faces the longer-term challenge of preparing its economy, institutions, and export sectors for a post-preference trade environment (The Daily Star, 2026).

This evolving debate was reinforced by a series of high-level consultations and readiness assessments held in early April. The government organised a national multi-stakeholder consultation on 5 April to review findings from a UN-OHRLLS “Graduation Readiness Assessment” that identified substantial gaps in Bangladesh’s preparations for LDC graduation (The Financial Express, 2026). The assessment highlighted persistent macroeconomic instability, weak implementation of the Smooth Transition Strategy (STS), institutional coordination gaps, export concentration risks, and limited preparedness to manage the loss of preferential trade benefits after graduation (Prothom Alo, 2026; The Business Standard, 2026). Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury publicly acknowledged that Bangladesh is “not yet fully prepared” for graduation under current economic conditions, citing debt pressures, inflation, fuel-market volatility, supply-chain disruptions, and weaknesses in financial management as continuing vulnerabilities (Jago News, 2026; The Business Standard, 2026). In parallel, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally appealed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for additional time, arguing that Bangladesh seeks not to avoid graduation, but to ensure that the transition is “smooth, sustainable, and irreversible” amid mounting macroeconomic strain, financial-sector weaknesses, and external shocks.

At the same time, trade diplomacy and future market-access arrangements are increasingly emerging as central pillars of Bangladesh’s post-LDC strategy. During the WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir requested the European Union to consider extending preferential trade facilities while also initiating discussions on a future EU–Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA), alongside ongoing labour-law reforms aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards (Industry Insider, 2026). Subsequent discussions with UN-OHRLLS representatives further emphasised the need for a “planned and phased transition” to protect Bangladesh’s trade and industrial sectors from post-graduation shocks (The Business Standard, 2026). Meanwhile, a policy analysis published in The Business Standard argued that FTAs are rapidly becoming an economic necessity for Bangladesh as LDC-linked trade preferences gradually expire, particularly in the European market. This concern was reinforced by a recent UN trade & development (UNCTAD) estimate suggesting Bangladesh could face export losses of up to $17.5 billion after graduation, with the European Union remaining the country’s most exposed market due to the concentration of ready-made garment exports (The Daily Star, 2026).

Taken together, recent developments suggest that Bangladesh’s LDC graduation discussion is increasingly evolving from a debate over deferment alone into a broader reassessment of competitiveness, resilience, and transition management. Across government consultations, UN assessments, policy commentary, and private-sector discussions, a growing consensus appears to be emerging: additional time, if granted, will only be meaningful if accompanied by stronger implementation of reforms linked to export diversification, trade facilitation, financial-sector governance, logistics, institutional coordination, and compliance readiness in major export markets. As Bangladesh continues to engage with the UN, development partners, and major trading partners, the central challenge is no longer whether the country will graduate, but whether it can do so in a way that is economically sustainable and institutionally prepared for a more demanding global trade environment.

Sirajam Munira Binte Hafiz

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EU–Bangladesh Trade Relations and Emerging Agreement Pathways

March–April 2026

On 29 April 2026, EuroCham Chairperson Nuria López further underlined the urgency of an EU–Bangladesh FTA at a policy dialogue jointly organised by MCCI and Policy Exchange Bangladesh. She noted that uncertainty over future EU market access is already affecting investor confidence and warned that Bangladesh risks falling behind regional competitors such as Vietnam and India, which have secured stronger trade arrangements with the EU. She emphasised that an FTA would provide predictability, support export competitiveness, and send a strong signal to European and global investors.
(The Financial Express, 29 April 2026 )

Together, these developments reflect a gradual shift in EU–Bangladesh relations from development-focused cooperation toward a more strategic and structured economic partnership. As Bangladesh prepares for its post-LDC transition, the PCA carries significant economic importance, particularly as the European Union remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding €22 billion. The agreement is therefore expected to play an important role in sustaining and expanding trade and investment relations beyond the current EBA framework, while also laying the groundwork for future discussions on an FTA and investment protection mechanisms that could provide greater predictability and confidence for businesses on both sides.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

Middle East Conflict, Energy Strain and Logistics Pressures Test Bangladesh’s Trade Resilience

Middle East Conflict and Global Trade Risk

Escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are increasing risks to global energy security and trade stability. Concerns over potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes — are intensifying fears of higher energy prices, supply chain instability, and broader economic uncertainty. The situation underscores how geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East can have far-reaching impacts on global markets, energy flows, and investment confidence worldwide. Throughout April the Middle East conflict heavily impacted Bangladesh’s import dependent energy sector. (AP News )

UN trade & development (UNCTAD) warned on 1 April 2026 that the Hormuz disruption has spread beyond energy markets into trade, prices and finance, with global merchandise trade growth expected to slow from about 4.7% in 2025 to 1.5–2.5% in 2026. UNCTAD also noted that fuel prices and oil transport costs have risen sharply since the escalation, increasing the cost of producing and moving goods across global supply chains. (UN trade & development)

Timeline: Escalating Pressure on Bangladesh’s Trade and Energy Sector in 2026

February 2026: Middle East Conflict Intensified

US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February 2026 sharply escalated regional tensions and increased global concern over energy security and stability in Middle East trade routes. The escalation followed unsuccessful attempts to renegotiate a nuclear deal in 2025 and 2026 amid long-standing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and military reach across the Middle East. (Britannica)

The Strait of Hormuz closure was widely expected to become one of the most severe Middle East supply-chain disruptions in modern history, given the route’s importance for global oil, LNG and trade flows. Following the 28 February 2026 US and Israeli strikes on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz had effectively closed within 48 hours, while Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd suspended transits and more than 150 tankers anchored outside the strait rather than risk attack. (Carra Globe)

March 2026: Fuel, Freight and Import Cost Pressures Increased

The widening Middle East conflict increased concern in Bangladesh over rising fuel prices, shipping disruptions and pressure on major trade routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea corridor. (The Business Standard)

The crisis forced major shipping carriers including MSC, Maersk and CMA CGM to suspend or reroute operations, while vessels bound for Europe continued avoiding the Suez Canal and rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 to 15 days to shipment lead times. War-risk insurance premiums surged by up to 50%, while rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope extended transit times, eroded schedule reliability and increased operational costs. (Light Castle Partners,The Business Standard)

Bangladesh’s garment sector also faced growing pressure from rising LNG and energy costs, while gas pressure in industrial belts across Narayanganj, Gazipur and Savar dropped to near zero at dozens of textile mills. The report also noted that higher electricity generation costs, logistics disruption and prolonged gas shortages were affecting factory operations and export competitiveness. (The Business Standard)

March–April 2026: Fuel Shortages and Power Cuts Disrupted Production

Factories that depend on diesel generators are facing mounting disruption, with many reporting delays in getting adequate supplies. Recurring two-to-three-hour power cuts could lead to greater reliance on costly air freight, while overall productivity has declined because of insufficient fuel supplies. (The Daily Star)

April 2026: Electricity Shortages Hit Industrial Production

Acute load-shedding is severely affecting garment production in the country, which in turn is creating serious challenges for the timely shipment of goods. (The Daily Star)

Businesses said that the ongoing energy crisis was pushing up operational costs across the apparel sector, with business expenses rising by 10 to 30 per cent depending on the factory size.

Factories were operating at only 50–60 per cent of their capacity. (New Age)

April 2026: Fuel Shortages Triggered Long Queues at Filling Stations

The long queues of fuel seekers, particularly car and motorbike drivers, at filling stations across the country started to reduce from 20 April after the government began increasing fuel supply to the pumps. For the past few days, commuters and commercial drivers were forced to wait for 12–14 hours in queues at filling stations. Despite the price hike, the persistence of the shortage sparked intense criticism both inside and outside the parliament. Many questioned the authenticity of the government’s claims regarding sufficient fuel reserves. In response, The government announced a 10% increase in diesel and petrol supply and a 20% increase in octane supply starting from 20 April. (The Business Standard)

A review of March inflows shows that 453,448 tonnes of diesel were imported through 14 vessels, supplemented by 40,000 tonnes via pipeline from India’s Numaligarh Refinery.

The combined effect of increased imports and price adjustments has gradually eased the fuel supply situation, while long queues at filling stations have shortened, indicating improved availability. (The Business Standard)

April 2026: Energy and Chattogram Port Disruptions

Chattogram Port has also faced operational disruption, with a scanner malfunction at Patenga Container Terminal left more than 500 containers stuck without clearance from 6 April and disrupted import and export operations.

The same disruption affected raw-material delivery to industries including RMG, created congestion at jetties, and added pressure to Bangladesh’s supply chain. (The Daily Star)
A separate diesel shortage has slowed cargo unloading at Chattogram Port, with The Business Standard reporting that lighter vessel operations were brought near a standstill and that delays were affecting about 80 mother vessels carrying imports including clinker, food grains and poultry feed. (The Business Standard)

Implications for Bangladesh–EU Trade

The EU exposure is significant because the European Commission identifies the EU as Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with total EU–Bangladesh goods trade reaching €23.3 billion in 2025 and textiles accounting for almost 94% of EU imports from Bangladesh. (European Union)

The demand-side signal from Europe is also weak, as Eurostat data showed EU apparel imports fell 15.48% year-on-year in January 2026, while Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the EU fell 25.25% to €1.43 billion. (The Financial Express)

The crisis had also created buyer-side caution, with a senior official of a leading European buyer saying that overall, 8 percent to 10 percent of garment work orders would be cut for the next season as buyers began placing orders. (The Daily Star)

Overall, this makes Bangladesh–EU trade more vulnerable to any disruption that affects production costs, shipment timelines or buyer confidence.

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

March-April 2026 Developments Around the Bangladesh–US Reciprocal Trade Agreement

For the March-April 2026 period, discussions surrounding the Bangladesh-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (RTA) intensified significantly, evolving from initial reactions to broader debates on economic strategy, energy security, geopolitical alignment, and Bangladesh’s long-term policy autonomy.

Early March, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the agreement, signed in February 2026, was “not irreversible” and still allowed room for amendments, additions, or revisions if necessary. Speaking after a meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur, the minister stressed that the deal should not be viewed as either entirely negative or entirely positive, but rather as an evolving framework intended to deepen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted the growing scale of bilateral trade — now exceeding USD 8.5 billion — while also discussing future cooperation in LNG supply, digital infrastructure, and investment promotion. During the same visit, US officials reportedly encouraged Bangladesh to remove non-tariff barriers that may hinder American investment and broader economic engagement. (The Business Standard, 4 March 2026)

Legal and constitutional debates surrounding the agreement also gained traction in March. In an opinion piece published in The Daily Star, legal scholars argued that certain provisions of the RTA may conflict with Bangladesh’s constitutional principles on economic sovereignty and equality in treaty relations, while also raising concerns over the transparency of the treaty-making process. The article further discussed possible legal grounds for withdrawal or renegotiation under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), adding another dimension to the growing national debate around the agreement’s long-term implications. (The Daily Star, 18 March 2026)

By the end of March, however, public discourse increasingly shifted toward the agreement’s geopolitical and energy-related implications. Speaking at a Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) media briefing, distinguished economist Debapriya Bhattacharya warned that the US-Bangladesh RTA could significantly constrain Bangladesh’s energy sourcing flexibility by limiting trade engagement with countries under US sanctions, including Russia. He noted that certain provisions regarding trade restrictions with the “non-market economies” and sanctions compliance may effectively require Bangladesh to seek US waivers for cheaper Russian oil imports, thereby reducing the country’s ability to independently manage energy procurement during global crises. Debapriya further cautioned that the agreement could create broader macroeconomic pressures through higher energy import costs, increased subsidy burdens, rising dollar demand, currency depreciation, and inflationary risks. (The Daily Star, 31 March 2026)

Concerns surrounding energy security continued into April. At a pre-budget shadow parliamentary debate competition organised by Debate for Democracy, Debapriya Bhattacharya argued that the US-Bangladesh RTAmay pose a greater long-term challenge to Bangladesh’s energy security than disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz itself. He highlighted reports that Bangladesh has committed to purchasing approximately USD 15 billion worth of US energy products, including LNG, over a 15-year period, while simultaneously restricting purchases from sanctioned countries such as Russia. According to Debapriya, the agreement risks linking Bangladesh’s economic decisions more directly to geopolitical considerations, potentially narrowing the country’s strategic flexibility in managing foreign policy and energy partnerships. The debate also reignited criticism of Bangladesh’s longstanding dependence on imported LNG and the limited investment in domestic energy exploration and production capacity. (The Daily Star, 18 April 2026; The Daily Star, 19 April 2026)

Throughout April, US officials and business representatives continued to promote the agreement as a major opportunity for expanding bilateral trade and investment. Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue hosted by AmCham Bangladesh on 28 April — attended by EuroCham Bangladesh alongside representatives from government, business, and diplomatic circles — US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen described the US-Bangladesh RTA as an “excellent agreement” that preserves Bangladesh’s access to the US market under reduced tariffs while encouraging reforms designed to rebalance bilateral trade. He emphasised that Bangladesh had committed to purchasing USD 3.5 billion worth of US agricultural products — including wheat, soy, cotton, and corn — alongside the long-term energy commitments already under discussion. Christensen also stressed the importance of improving contract enforcement, policy predictability, and modernising business practices to attract greater US investment into Bangladesh. Commerce Minister Abdul Muktadir, meanwhile, reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in diversifying exports beyond ready-made garments and attracting greater investment in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ICT, leather goods, agricultural products, and light engineering, while also underscoring that Bangladesh remains committed to maintaining a balanced and non-discriminatory approach towards all international trading partners. (The Business Standard, 28 April 2026)

The broader geopolitical significance of the RTA also drew growing international attention. In an April analysis published by (The Diplomat ), the agreement was described as a “litmus test” for Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy amid intensifying global competition between major powers. The article argued that while the ART offers improved access to the US market, several of its deeper provisions — particularly those relating to “non-market economies,” export controls, sanctions compliance, energy procurement, and defence cooperation — may constrain Bangladesh’s longstanding balancing strategy between the United States, China, India, and Russia. The analysis further noted that the agreement’s implementation has become politically sensitive domestically, prompting calls for parliamentary scrutiny, selective implementation, and possible renegotiation of provisions perceived as limiting Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty or geopolitical flexibility. (The Diplomat, 29 April 2026)

As debates continue, the Bangladesh–US RTA remains one of the most closely watched developments in the country’s economic and foreign policy landscape. While supporters view the agreement as an opportunity to deepen bilateral trade, secure market access, and attract investment, critics continue to raise concerns over energy dependence, regulatory alignment, strategic autonomy, and the long-term implications of integrating trade policy more closely with geopolitical considerations.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Labour Law Reform: A New Compliance Priority for EU Businesses

Bangladesh’s labour-law reform has become a key consideration for businesses, with implications for workplace governance, employer obligations, and the country’s broader trade and investment landscape.

The National Parliament passed the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 9 April 2026, introducing a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening workers’ rights and aligning the country’s labour standards with international norms. The bill was placed in Parliament to turn the earlier ordinance issued by the interim government into law, with several amendments and additional provisions.

The Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, was approved by the Advisers Council on 17 November 2025, and the new law introduces significant reforms to advance the decent work agenda and enhance protection of workers’ rights. (The Business Standard)

Key Reform Areas

Trade Unions

Under the amended law, trade unions can now be formed with the consent of a minimum of 20 workers, simplifying earlier requirements and expanding freedom of association and collective bargaining rights to previously excluded workers.
Membership thresholds will vary depending on workforce size, ranging from 20 members for establishments with up to 300 workers to 400 members for those employing over 3,000 workers. The number of trade unions in a single establishment has been capped at three to ensure better governance. (The Business Standard)

Layoffs Leaves and Compensations:

The amendments introduce clearer provisions on layoffs and compensation, with continuous service defined as 240 days within 12 months or 120 days within six months. Compensation will be calculated based on last drawn wages and allowances.
The law increases maternity leave for female workers from 112 days to 120 days and raises annual festival holidays from 11 to 13 days.
It also requires establishments employing 100 or more workers to form a provident fund or join the national pension scheme upon written request from two-thirds of employees. (The Business Standard)

Workplace Safety and Worker’s Rights

The amendments place strong emphasis on workplace safety and equality. For the first time, “sexual harassment” has been clearly defined, and institutions are required to form complaint committees, with a focus on female representation.
New provisions prohibit both direct and indirect discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, political opinion, or social status. The law also introduces strict provisions to prevent unfair labour practices and anti-trade union discrimination. (The Business Standard)
Several other positive changes include mandatory safety committees, recognition of workers’ right to refuse hazardous work, establishment of an accident compensation fund, a National Social Dialogue Forum, and an alternative dispute resolution authority.

However, several important demands remain unfulfilled. The new labour law does not include a National Minimum Wage Commission or a statutory mechanism for wage determination. Maternity leave, which was proposed to be standardized at 180 days with paid leave across both public and private sectors, has instead been increased from the existing 112 days to 120 days. Demands relating to outsourcing workers and daily-wage workers have also not been incorporated into the law. Broader concerns also remain regarding workplace compensation, as there has been no change in the compensation framework after the Rana Plaza and Tazreen incidents. (The Daily Star)

Employer and Supply-Chain Compliance

For employers and international sourcing teams, the amendment sets out practical compliance steps that must be taken immediately, from revised worker registration thresholds and strengthened trade union protections to new provident fund mandates and tighter rules on termination and resignation.

Employers should audit worker counts against the new five-slab registration thresholds under amended Section 179, as registration now begins at 20 workers. Employers should cease any blacklisting practices, as employers are now prohibited from blacklisting workers or trade union members. Employers should update termination and resignation templates to reflect amended Sections 23–27, including revised notice periods and wages-in-lieu calculations. Larger employers must review provident fund obligations, as larger employers must now establish provident funds and boost paid time off and end-of-service benefits. International buyers with Bangladesh supply chains should revise supplier audit questionnaires to incorporate the 2026 changes, as the 2026 changes require immediate updates to supplier audit protocols and contractual frameworks. (Global Law Experts)

Outlook for Business and Trade

Lawmakers said the passage of the bill reflects long-standing demands of workers and aligns Bangladesh’s labour framework with global standards set by the International Labour Organization. The reform is expected to help retain duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union market and support eligibility for GSP+ benefits. The government hopes the implementation of the law will improve employer-worker relations, reduce industrial unrest, and ensure a more stable and productive working environment, particularly in export-oriented sectors such as garments. (The Business Standard)

The government also hopes that through the implementation of this law, good employer-labour relations will be established and a positive and stable working environment will be ensured in the overall industry, including the garment sector, the main source of the country’s export income. (Business in Bangladesh)

The amendments have been welcomed as wide-ranging reforms that strengthen workers’ rights in line with international standards, with new provisions against anti-union discrimination, blacklisting, forced labour and sexual harassment. (UNI Global Union)

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

National Budget FY 2026–27: Investment Climate, Tax Reform, and Revenue Pressures Shape Pre-Budget Discussions

Pre-budget consultations for Bangladesh’s FY 2026–27 national budget have increasingly centered on balancing revenue mobilisation with investment competitiveness amid ongoing macroeconomic pressures, slowing revenue growth, and post-LDC transition concerns. Under NBR’s official FY 2026–27 pre-budget consultation calendar, stakeholder discussions ran from 31 March to 29 April 2026 bringing together media representatives, financial institutions, foreign and local chambers, sectoral associations, regional stakeholders, professional bodies, and economists to gather recommendations on tax policy, VAT reform, customs procedures, and investment facilitation ahead of the national budget (The Business Standard, 2026).

A major area of discussion has been the future direction of Bangladesh’s tax incentive framework. During a pre-budget meeting, NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan signaled that the reduced corporate tax rates currently enjoyed by ready-made garment (RMG) exporters may gradually be withdrawn as part of broader tax reforms aimed at creating a more uniform taxation structure (The Daily Star, 2026; The Business Standard, 2026). The discussions also reflected growing debate over how Bangladesh should balance fiscal consolidation with the need to maintain export competitiveness, employment generation, and investment attractiveness.

Foreign business chambers and investors repeatedly emphasized the importance of predictable tax policies, transparent regulation, and administrative simplification. At several consultations, foreign investors called for gradual corporate tax reductions, rationalisation of minimum taxes, simplification of VAT and customs procedures, improved VAT refund mechanisms, and stronger tax certainty frameworks for long-term investments (The Business Standard, 2026; New Age, 2026). EuroCham Bangladesh also highlighted sustainability-linked proposals, including VAT treatment for recycled garment waste and recycled fibres, fertilizer micronutrients, and tax rationalisation for renewable-energy equipment such as Lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, and inverters. These recommendations were connected to broader EU decarbonisation and sustainability priorities. In her remarks, EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez stressed that Bangladesh needs stronger FDI and success in future market-access negotiations, particularly as competitors such as Vietnam and India already have FTAs with the EU. She noted that securing an EU-Bangladesh FTA should be treated as a priority. At the same time, tax policy, VAT, customs procedures, and NBR response mechanisms should be made more predictable to improve investor confidence and attract long-term foreign investment (The Financial Express, 2026; The Business Standard, 2026).

At the same time, broader fiscal pressures continue to shape the government’s policy choices. According to recent reports, the NBR faces a substantial revenue shortfall during the current fiscal year, while the government simultaneously confronts rising subsidy burdens, inflationary pressures, global energy-market volatility, and increasing expenditure commitments (The Business Standard, 2026). Discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have also reportedly included proposals to reduce tax exemptions and move toward a more uniform VAT structure, although economists and business groups have cautioned that the abrupt withdrawal of incentives could increase inflationary pressure and negatively affect businesses and consumers alike.

Sector-specific consultations further highlighted calls for tax rationalisation, automation, and easier compliance procedures across industries. Representatives from the agriculture and agro-processing sectors raised concerns regarding VAT refunds, supplementary duties, turnover taxes, and import duties on raw materials and agricultural inputs, while the NBR emphasized that its priority would remain improving business processes and reducing operational barriers rather than introducing broad tax cuts (The Business Standard, 2026).

Overall, the pre-budget discussions reflect the increasingly complex policy environment facing Bangladesh as it seeks to strengthen revenue collection while preserving investment confidence, export competitiveness, and economic stability ahead of the country’s anticipated post-LDC transition period.

Sirajam Munira Binte Hafiz

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

Feature Article

Energy Crisis in Bangladesh Pushes Industrial Solar From Sustainability Agenda to Resilience Strategy

The March-April 2026 energy disruptions exposed how deeply Bangladesh’s industrial economy remains tied to volatile global fuel markets. What began as a geopolitical shock linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East quickly evolved into a broader debate on energy security, industrial resilience, export competitiveness, and the future of renewable energy in Bangladesh.

For years, Bangladesh’s energy debate was largely framed around affordability: keeping electricity prices manageable, maintaining subsidies, and expanding generation capacity to support growth. The recent crisis shifted that conversation toward a more urgent question: how secure is Bangladesh’s energy system when global fuel routes, LNG contracts, shipping insurance, and sanctions-sensitive procurement are disrupted at the same time?

Bangladesh’s vulnerability is structural. The country meets around 95 percent of its oil requirement and nearly half of its gas requirement through imports, according to an analysis in The Business Standard on Bangladesh’s energy resilience (TBS, 2026). This dependence leaves the country exposed to global fuel-price volatility, foreign exchange pressure, supply disruptions, and geopolitical shocks.

From Fuel Shock to Domestic Crisis

The crisis intensified in early March after the escalation of conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Global oil and LNG markets reacted immediately. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, became a central risk, while shipping costs, tanker charter rates, bunker fuel prices, and war-risk insurance premiums surged as vessels avoided or delayed movement through the Gulf (The Daily Star, 2026).

For Bangladesh, the LNG shock was immediate. QatarEnergy reportedly invoked force majeure on LNG supply to Petrobangla on 2 March 2026, followed by OQ Trading on 5 March and Excelerate Energy on 6 March. Within four days, Bangladesh lost confirmed supply from suppliers responsible for a major share of its LNG imports, forcing Petrobangla into costly emergency spot procurement. The impact quickly spread beyond power generation. Fuel queues appeared across Dhaka, diesel shortages affected industrial and transport operations, and four fertiliser plants reportedly shut down as gas was redirected toward power generation (TBS, 2026). Inland cargo transport was also disrupted, with lighter vessels at Chattogram Port unable to move imported wheat, fertiliser, food grains, and industrial raw materials due to inadequate diesel supply (The Daily Star, 2026).

By mid-April, Bangladesh intensified emergency fuel procurement. On 17 April, Chattogram Port was scheduled to receive 109,000 tonnes of diesel and 27,000 tonnes of octane from South Korea, India, and Malaysia, one of the largest fuel shipments since the crisis began (TBS, 2026). A day later, the government raised fuel prices, with diesel reaching Tk115 per litre, citing rising global oil prices and mounting subsidy pressure (TBS, 2026).

Geopolitics, Macroeconomic Pressure, and Industrial Risk

The crisis demonstrated that Bangladesh’s energy security is no longer only an energy-sector issue. It is now linked to foreign policy, sanctions, shipping, foreign exchange reserves, fiscal management, and industrial competitiveness.

Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya warned that Bangladesh’s reciprocal trade arrangement with the United States could limit its flexibility to procure cheaper energy from sanctioned countries such as Russia, making a US waiver necessary in some cases (The Daily Star, 2026). He also noted that energy decisions must be coordinated with macroeconomic management because higher fuel imports can intensify subsidy pressure, foreign exchange demand, inflation, and debt stress (The Daily Star, 2026).

The global dimension was equally clear. Eurozone inflation rose above the European Central Bank’s target in March as energy costs increased following the oil shock (The Daily Star, 2026). Five EU countries even called for a windfall tax on energy companies to finance relief measures amid rising fuel prices (The Financial Express, 2026). Oil prices remained volatile through April, falling only when hopes of renewed US-Iran dialogue temporarily eased supply concerns (TBS, 2026).

For factories, the concern was practical: diesel dependency, captive generation costs, load-shedding risks, and production uncertainty. These pressures are especially significant for export-oriented sectors such as RMG and textiles, where energy reliability is tied directly to delivery timelines, buyer confidence, and long-term competitiveness.

Solar Moves From ESG to Industrial Resilience

One of the most important shifts during the crisis was the changing role of solar power in Bangladesh’s industrial debate. Previously, rooftop solar was often discussed mainly in terms of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance, sustainability reporting, and carbon reduction. By March-April 2026, the discussion had shifted toward energy security, operational continuity, and cost stability.

Factories across Bangladesh have already installed more than 500 MW of rooftop solar, with another 500 MW expected this year (TBS, 2026). The same report noted that rooftop solar can cover around 15–20 percent of factory electricity demand and help sustain operations for three to four hours during disruptions. Examples include Rising Group’s 9 MW rooftop system, Pacific Jeans’ 7 MW system, DBL Group’s installations, and larger renewable-energy adoption by Youngone/KEPZ, Ha-Meem, Akij, BSRM, and others.

This shift is also economic. A recent analysis found utility-scale solar power to be significantly cheaper than diesel and heavy fuel oil-based generation, with competitive solar bids around 8.27 US cents/kWh, compared with much higher fossil-fuel generation costs (TBS, 2026). Another commentary argued that solar has become a way to save foreign exchange and reduce geopolitical risk at a time when LNG, coal, and oil prices remain volatile (The Daily Star, 2026).

As global supply chains increasingly incorporate sustainability and decarbonisation requirements, the renewable-energy transition is gradually becoming an industrial policy issue, not only an energy-sector issue. While the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) does not currently apply directly to garments, the broader direction of EU climate and supply-chain regulation, combined with buyer decarbonisation targets, means Bangladesh’s export competitiveness will increasingly depend on whether industries can demonstrate lower-carbon production systems (EC, 2024; The Daily Star, 2026).

Rooftops are therefore increasingly being treated as industrial energy assets, not merely unused space. Factories, warehouses, logistics facilities, ports, and inland depots could become decentralized generation points. A related opinion in The Daily Star argued that Bangladesh should integrate energy, ports, and logistics planning and use industrial and logistics rooftops for solar generation through on-grid systems and net metering (The Daily Star, 2026).

MPPA, PPAs, and the New Energy Procurement Debate

The crisis has also made Bangladesh’s renewable-energy procurement model more important. Rooftop solar alone cannot meet full industrial demand, especially for energy-intensive operations such as dyeing, washing, spinning, and heavy manufacturing. This is why discussions around Merchant Power Purchase Agreements (MPPAs), bundled PPAs, wheeling, OPEX/ESCO (Energy Service Company) models, and private renewable procurement are becoming central.

The 2025 policy framework for private participation in renewable power generation introduced the possibility of merchant renewable power producers supplying electricity directly to large consumers through negotiated arrangements and wheeling mechanisms (SREDA, 2025). This could help factories access renewable electricity without relying only on self-owned, CAPEX-heavy rooftop models.

Both CAPEX and OPEX/ESCO-based solar deployment models offer distinct advantages and trade-offs. While CAPEX models provide greater long-term asset ownership and control, OPEX/ESCO arrangements can reduce upfront investment and operational burden. International research on industrial solar adoption also suggests that PPA and OPEX-based structures can help de-risk renewable-energy investments by shifting large upfront capital costs into more manageable operational expenditures (Karnati, 2025). Ultimately, the suitability of each model depends on the operational profile, financial capacity, energy demand, and long-term strategic priorities of individual businesses and industries.

From EuroCham Bangladesh’s perspective, the OPEX/ESCO model is particularly important for mass-scale industrial solar adoption because it places long-term operation, maintenance, performance monitoring, and technical support in the hands of specialised energy service providers. This can help address a common risk under self-owned CAPEX systems, where inadequate maintenance, weather-related degradation, or lack of technical follow-up may reduce system performance over time.

However, commercial viability remains uncertain. Industry representatives have warned that proposed wheeling charges and tariff markups could make merchant renewable projects less competitive than grid power. The Daily Star reported concerns from BGMEA and private-sector leaders that tariff structures, high import duties, and unclear regulatory design could slow the transition to renewable energy despite strong industrial demand (The Daily Star, 2026).

RMG leaders have also called for dedicated “Solar Zones” on government-provided land, arguing that rooftop solar can meet only about 20 percent of energy needs in many vertical factory setups (TBS, 2026). This proposal links directly with MPPA-style procurement, wheeling, and shared renewable infrastructure.

Policy Momentum and Implementation Gaps

Several policy initiatives have gained renewed relevance, including the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Net Metering Guidelines 2025, rooftop solar requirements, tax incentives, PPP discussions, green finance, and EU-backed energy-transition initiatives. The Net Metering Guidelines 2025 support rooftop solar and OPEX-based arrangements, while the renewable-energy policy framework sets long-term renewable targets (Net Metering Guidelines 2025, SREDA).

At the same time, the discussion around renewable energy is increasingly expanding beyond generation capacity alone. Green modernisation in Bangladesh will require stronger grid infrastructure, energy-storage systems, financing mechanisms, and greater system flexibility to integrate variable renewable energy at scale. Existing EU-linked initiatives such as Team Europe, Global Gateway, and EIB-backed renewable-energy financing have already identified grid stability, renewable-energy integration, and energy-storage solutions as important areas requiring further investment and technical support. Although these mechanisms were not introduced specifically as crisis-response measures, they may become increasingly important as Bangladesh seeks concessional financing, technical assistance, investment guarantees, and project de-risking mechanisms to accelerate renewable deployment (EU in Bangladesh, 2023; EIB, 2023).

Implementation, however, remains the central challenge. A national workshop on renewable energy in climate-vulnerable regions highlighted persistent financing constraints, high upfront investment costs, weak market systems, policy implementation gaps, and limited incentives for private-sector participation (TBS, 2026). Another TBS analysis noted that Bangladesh has turned to demand-side management, including office-hour restrictions, reduced fuel allocation, and conservation measures, to save energy during the crisis, showing both the urgency of the situation and the limits of an import-dependent model (TBS, 2026).

These challenges are becoming more significant as regional competitors continue accelerating their own renewable-energy transitions. Vietnam’s rapid solar expansion demonstrated how policy certainty and investor confidence can quickly scale renewable deployment, while India has continued expanding one of the region’s largest renewable-energy markets (Do and Burke, 2021; World Economic Forum, 2026). For Bangladesh, renewable energy should therefore be viewed not only as a crisis-response measure, but also as a potential competitiveness advantage for export-oriented manufacturing. Delayed transition could weaken Bangladesh’s competitive positioning as global supply chains and competing production hubs increasingly move toward lower-carbon manufacturing systems.

Despite growing momentum in the renewable-energy sector, several structural barriers continue to slow large-scale renewable deployment in Bangladesh. Key challenges include high CAPEX requirements, bankability concerns, storage costs, grid limitations, delayed approvals, policy uncertainty, concentration among a limited number of experienced providers, and limited access to affordable long-term financing.

Conclusion

The March-April 2026 crisis marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s energy debate. It showed that fuel supply disruptions are not isolated events; they can quickly affect power generation, transport logistics, industrial production, inflation, public finances, and export competitiveness. It also reframed the renewable-energy discussion. Bangladesh’s renewable transition is no longer driven only by climate ambition, ESG compliance, or sustainability branding. The crisis increasingly positioned renewable energy, particularly industrial solar, as a strategic tool for economic resilience, industrial continuity, and geopolitical risk mitigation.

For Bangladesh, the central question is no longer whether solar power should be part of the future energy mix. It is whether the country can create the financing, policy certainty, grid readiness, and procurement models needed to scale renewable energy fast enough to protect industrial competitiveness in a more volatile global energy environment.

Sirajam Munira Binte Hafiz

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

How Hybrid Sukuk Bond can play pivotal role to materialize the dreamt Infrastructural Projects like 2nd Padma and Jamuna Bridge of the Government

– S.M. Rafiqul Islam (Ripon) FCA, CISA

Introduction

The capital market of Bangladesh is highly volatile and unbalanced causing growing concerns amongst the market participants irrespective of local and foreign investors. It is influenced by various X-factors including Institutional failures and unethical practices. This situation unavoidably touches the most important subject in finance: risk transformation and management. Under these circumstances, I believe the future of the Bangladesh capital market should lay in the greater extent with Hybrid Sukuk Bond.

What is Hybrid Sukuk Bond

Hybrid Sukuk bond is one kind of Islamic investment vehicle that blends different Shariah-compliant structures which offer distinct advantages to the investors. It is based on Shari’ah principles to achieve specific purposes of the participants’ with integrity and in such a way that is fair, trustworthy and honest upon ensuring more equal wealth distribution among them. In brief, it can be said that hybrid bonds need to comply with stronger ethical requirements than conventional finance to make it attractive to both Muslims and Non-Muslims investors ensuring assets –backing and alignment with sustainable development principles.

Pivotal roles that Hybrid Sukuk Bond can play

Bangladesh is an emerging economy. But it has inadequate infrastructure to embrace growing demand from different parts of the society. Keeping that in mind our newly elected Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman set forth recently to commence the 2^nd Padma or Jamuna Bridge to ease the communication related disturbance. And the successful efforts of it not only ensure sustainability of the people living in that region but also align with UN SDGs. The question is the sources of financing that may come from internal resources, foreign loans etc. Under this circumstance, I would like to advocate for Hybrid Sukuk Bond financing to diversify the growing pressures on the Government fund and attract FDI to the capital markets of the country. The arguments for it could be as follows:

Promoting core principles of Islamic finance such as ethics, responsibility and transparency sharing strong commonalities with sustainable investing practices, especially with respect to social and responsible investing (SRI)

Providing an additional layer of governance (Shari’ah) that helps in the allocation of issuance proceeds towards the Infrastructures under proposition complying with both Shari’ah standards and ESG/sustainability criteria
Promoting financial inclusion without leaving anyone behind for those who are not willing to put their money in the stock market for religious reasons which are major challenges in overcoming poverty for the country like Bangladesh
Promoting environmental safeguarding and climate change mitigation in line with the defined role of humans as trustees and stewards of the Earth
Ability to attract new sources of funding that remain untapped by conventional, green and other sustainable finances
Ability to provide resilience while our capital markets experiencing mistrusts due to heavily depending on speculative instruments viz-a-viz lacking of strong linkage to the real economy
In an asset-based sukuk structure, investors have an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the underlying assets and there is no room for investment risk — exception earthquake and war etc

Benefits of Key Benefits of Hybrid Sukuk Bonds

Asset Diversification within a single pool of assets causing enhances to the mobilization of funds and lowers the risk profile for investors
Enhanced Liquidity & Tradability—it is often mandated that the assets are tradable on the secondary market to a reasonable extent to overcome illiquidity constraints related thereto
Flexibility & Innovation –built-in hybrid structures predominantly carrying on convertible features that allow investors to benefit from equity growth while initially enjoying benefits like fixed income securities
It is developed based on standard Shariah & ESG Alignment to reflect sustainability of the society
Efficiency in Issuance- it is evident recently that the adoption of Fintech and blockchain in structuring hybrid sukuk has reduced costs and shortened the time required for Shariah compliance checklists

Conclusion:

If we look at the established global capital and financial markets being geographically located in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and some other parts of the world, we can see that they could have successfully funded multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects through Sukuk issuances by drawing capital from across the globe. Financial analysts from the reported region argued that the most effective financing strategies are those tailored to the project’s nature, funding requirements, and ethical commitments. Whether Sukuk bonds, or a hybrid structure, the goal must always be the same- to build infrastructure like 2^nd Padma or Jamuna Bridges that drives economic growth and leaves a positive legacy for generations to come.

It is also evident that Islamic financial markets and institutions are deeply concerned with resource allocation, management, acquisition, and investment while sharing risk, responsibility and transparency. The legal basis for asset-based sukuk is well recognized by the emerging market and the global rating agencies. The fact behind the rationale is that the incentives for the participants of the Hybrid Sukuk Bonds would rely on the said bridge’s income or profit. This is the beauty of Sukuk bonds over conventional bonds which merely reflect debt obligations and creditworthiness of the issuers. A Sukuk’s price will be determined by the market behavior of the underlying asset, herein called 2^nd Padma or Jamuna Bridges. And the sale of a Sukuk is basically the sale of a share of an asset since financial institutions like JP Morgan conceptually develop hybrid securities- marking the primary Sukuk structures combined with two or more distinctive elements. That is why the sukuk market has also witnessed asset-based issuances from sovereign issuers outside of the traditional Islamic finance markets like the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Hong Kong etc as attractive profitable investment vehicles.

S.M Rafiqul Islam

Senior Partner & CEO | S M RAFIQUE & CO.

EU’s Changing Apparel Market and Bangladesh’s Export Challenges

– Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director, Denim Expert Limited

Bangladesh’s garment industry has faced some serious challenges of late. In the first eight months of FY2025-26, the country’s ready-made garment exports fell 3.73 percent year on year to $25.79 billion, against $26.79 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. In the EU—Bangladesh’s biggest apparel market—garment exports slipped 1.03 percent to $7.83 billion in the July-November period, down from $7.92 billion in the same period of FY25, with the bloc accounting for over 48 percent of total RMG shipments in that period…. Read the full article published in The Daily Star

Mostafiz Uddin

Managing Director | Denim Expert Limited

Advocacy with Working Groups

Tax, Trade and Customs Working Group | EuroCham Engages with NBR on Pre-Budget Priorities for FY 2026–27

As part of its ongoing advocacy efforts ahead of the FY 2026–27 national budget, EuroCham Bangladesh, through its Tax, Trade & Customs Working Group, participated in a stakeholder consultation with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) alongside other foreign chambers and business associations. During the discussion, EuroCham highlighted key priorities related to tax rationalization, VAT simplification, customs modernization, sustainability incentives, trade facilitation, and investment competitiveness. EuroCham also emphasized the importance of strengthening Bangladesh’s readiness for evolving global trade dynamics and future trade arrangements with the European Union.

The Working Group submitted a consolidated set of 50+ recommendations covering Income Tax, VAT, and Customs issues, including matters related to minimum tax, customs valuation, HS code harmonization, VAT treatment for sustainable industries, trade facilitation bottlenecks, and regulatory predictability. EuroCham reiterated that transparent and consistent tax policies remain critical to sustaining investor confidence and attracting long-term foreign direct investment.

Building on this engagement, EuroCham later held an exclusive follow-up discussion with the NBR Chairman, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, FCMA, and senior officials at the NBR Bhaban in Dhaka, together with representatives from several member companies including, SOLshare, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh PLC., Recover (RBD Fiber), Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd., Maersk, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Ltd., and Rahman’s Chambers. The discussion focused on a range of sector-specific concerns and policy proposals, including non-tariff barriers (NTBs), freight forwarding license renewals, VAT treatment for recycled materials, renewable energy taxation, lithium-ion battery duties, customs digitalization and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), tax competitiveness for multinational companies, transportation VAT rebates, customs valuation mechanisms, and dairy-sector HS code harmonization.

The meeting also generated several concrete follow-up actions. On renewable energy, EuroCham and SOLshare continued engagement with NBR on lithium-ion battery duties and solar equipment taxation, including a follow-up with First Secretary Mr. Tareq Hasan at NBR on 11 April 2026, a battery traceability demonstration on 19 April, and a further discussion on 21 April with NBR, SOLshare, and EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez to explore a possible negotiated pathway with SOLshare. These follow-ups were built on the NBR Chairman’s request for a detailed technical proposal and demonstration covering the battery passport system, traceability mechanism, and phased duty structure.

Another key outcome concerned Arla Foods Bangladesh’s proposal on the Harmonization of Duty Structure for Powdered Milk Categories. The proposal focused on addressing duty disparities among comparable milk powder categories used for local processing and packaging, to reduce category distortions and improve affordability for consumers. Following the initial stakeholder meeting with NBR, Arla continued technical engagement with First Secretary Mr. Tareq Hasan, sharing detailed market and technical insights on existing classification disparities and their impact on pricing and consumer affordability.

The NBR Chairman, along with EuroCham, also proposed forming a joint working group with foreign chambers, including EuroCham, after the budget period to address NTBs and related issues through a more regular follow-up mechanism. The NBR Chairman welcomed continued engagement and expressed openness to further follow-up discussions after the budget session.

Through these consultations, EuroCham Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to constructive public-private dialogue and evidence-based advocacy in support of a more transparent, sustainable, and investment-friendly business environment in Bangladesh.

Sirajam Munira Binte Hafiz

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

Events

EuroCham Leadership Holds Meeting with BIDA Executive Chairman

EuroCham Chairperson Ms. Nuria Lopez and Investment Communications Engagement Specialist Ms. Samin Sababa

On 12 April 2026, EuroCham Bangladesh Chairperson Ms. Nuria Lopez paid a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, at the BIDA premises in Dhaka. The meeting was also attended by EuroCham Executive Director Ms. Arick Shama Proma and Jr. Operations Specialist Ms. Nujhat Anjum Silva, alongside BIDA Head of Business Development Mr. Nahian Rahman Rochi and Investment Communications & Engagement Specialist Ms. Samin Sababa Parin.

The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between EuroCham and BIDA to improve the investment climate for European businesses in Bangladesh. Key topics included existing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) affecting businesses, potential mechanisms for addressing these challenges, and enhanced coordination between BIDA and EuroCham to facilitate smoother trade and investment operations. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation in support of a more business-friendly environment in Bangladesh.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Bangladesh Holds 10th Board Meeting

EuroCham Bangladesh held its 10th Board Meeting and the first board meeting of 2026 on 4 March 2026 at the H&M Headquarters in Dhaka. The meeting brought together EuroCham Board Members and Secretariat representatives to discuss organizational priorities and ongoing initiatives for the year ahead.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, and attended by Vice Chairpersons Mr. Ziaur Rahman and Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, Treasurer Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Choudhury, Board Members Ms. Lauren Ponty and Mr. Tarun Patwary, Executive Director Mr. Arick Shama Proma, and Mr. Shamsul Huda Asif from Administration & Coordination.

Discussions focused on operational planning, membership growth, governance matters, policy advocacy initiatives, and preparations for upcoming engagements and collaborations.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Bangladesh Hosts Virtual Stakeholder Consultation on Renewable Energy Financing for SME Garment Factories

EuroCham Bangladesh hosted a virtual stakeholder meeting on 29 April 2026 to discuss financing opportunities and available tools for expanding renewable energy adoption, particularly solar energy, among SME garment factories in Bangladesh.

The meeting brought together representatives from the European Investment Bank (Lopez Martinez Antonio, Energy specialist, EIB), European brands, sourcing companies, IDCOL, SOLshare, GIZ and representatives from EU Delegation. During the meeting, participants exchanged views on the current financing landscape, including the role of development finance institutions, local financial institutions, brands, and energy service companies in supporting wider solar adoption. EuroCham Bangladesh shared plans for an awareness programme for SME garment factories to help improve understanding of decarbonisation options, renewable energy financing, and practical pathways for reducing energy costs.

The discussion with the European Investment Bank (EIB) focused on how European capital can support Bangladesh’s green industrial transition through scalable, high-quality investment and technology partnerships. Key points included the potential of OPEX financing models to encourage long-term system performance while reducing upfront investment burdens for factories, as well as the importance of supporting European-owned Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) to strengthen European industrial participation in the renewable-energy sector. The conversation also highlighted the need for technical assistance to support SME clustering approaches, enabling smaller businesses to aggregate demand and access institutional financing more effectively. In addition, participants discussed the importance of embedding these priorities — including OPEX preference, European ESCO criteria, and SME support mechanisms — into refinancing agreements with local financial institutions to ensure long-term implementation and impact.

During the discussion, IDCOL also shared updates on the status of the EIB fund and highlighted other financing opportunities available for renewable-energy projects in Bangladesh. The discussion also included EuroCham’s proposal to NBR to reduce VAT on solar panels, inverters, and related equipment used under ESCO/OPEX business models to encourage renewable-energy adoption, improve energy efficiency, and facilitate greater private-sector investment in sustainable energy solutions.

The discussions further emphasised that European capital can help reinforce European technology while delivering scaled and high-quality climate impact in Bangladesh’s industrial decarbonisation journey.

The consultation reflected EuroCham Bangladesh’s continued effort to convene relevant European and local stakeholders to support Bangladesh’s RMG sector in its transition toward cleaner, more sustainable, and more competitive energy use.

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Chairperson Attends Italian Design Day Dinner Hosted by the Embassy of Italy and ISHO

EuroCham Bangladesh Chairperson Nuria Lopez attended a dinner hosted by the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka in collaboration with ISHO on 30 March 2026, as part of the Italian Design Day in the World celebrations.

The event formed part of a wider series of initiatives promoted by the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka from 30 March to 2 April, dedicated to design. The 2026 edition featured Italian architect and designer Fabio Novembre, appointed “Ambassador of Italian Design,” under the theme “RE-DESIGN: regenerating spaces, objects, ideas, and relationships.”

As highlighted by the Embassy, the initiative aimed to strengthen commercial, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between Italy and Bangladesh, highlighting the experiences, know-how, and traditions of both countries, with a focus on the future of relations and innovation in the sector. EuroCham’s participation reflects its continued engagement in supporting dialogue and cooperation between European and Bangladeshi partners.

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Chairperson Attended Nordic Business Networking Reception and Presentation on “Bangladesh: Geopolitical Reality & Geoeconomic Opportunities Ahead”

EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez attended the Nordic Business Networking Reception, followed by a presentation on “Bangladesh: Geopolitical Reality & Geoeconomic Opportunities Ahead” on Thursday, 23 April 2026. The event was hosted by the NCCI – Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka.

The purpose of the event was to facilitate networking with Nordic companies and other key stakeholders, alongside a presentation on the current geopolitics and trade situation. The presentation was delivered by Rashed Uz Zaman, Professor at the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.

The session brought together members of the business and diplomatic community for an engaging discussion on Bangladesh’s evolving geopolitical landscape and its implications for trade, investment, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth. The discussion also offered timely perspectives on how global and regional dynamics are shaping emerging risks and opportunities for Bangladesh’s strategic future.

EuroCham values such platforms for dialogue and exchange, which contribute to a deeper understanding of Bangladesh’s economic outlook and strengthen collaboration among chambers, diplomatic missions, and the private sector.

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Chairperson Attended Spanish Musical Concert on the Occasion of Spanish Language Day

EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez attended the Spanish Musical Concert on Thursday, 23 April 2026, organized on the occasion of Spanish Language Day.

The event was held in collaboration between the Inditex Chair and the Embassy of Spain, at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Gabriel Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru, Ambassador of Spain.

The concert provided an opportunity to celebrate Spanish language and culture through music, while bringing together members of the diplomatic, cultural, and business communities. EuroCham appreciated the opportunity to take part in this cultural gathering, which highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and cultural exchange in strengthening international relations.

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Attends Launch of Arla Foods Bangladesh’s DANO Lacto Reduced

EuroCham Bangladesh participated at the inauguration ceremony of Arla Foods Bangladesh’s new product, DANO Lacto Reduced, on 29 April 2026. The event was held at the head office premises of Arla Foods Bangladesh Limited from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The product was officially inaugurated through a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by H.E. Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh; Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh; and Laurent Ponty, the Managing Director of Arla Foods Bangladesh Limited. The launch reflected the strong and growing collaboration between European businesses and Bangladesh.

In his remarks, H.E. Christian Brix Møller highlighted the longstanding partnership between Denmark and Bangladesh, built on trade, development, and shared values. He noted that Arla Foods exemplifies Denmark’s commitment to quality, responsibility, and innovation, and that initiatives such as this product launch demonstrate how European expertise contributes to improved nutrition and sustainable development in Bangladesh.

EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez expressed her appreciation for Arla’s continued contribution to the Bangladeshi market, emphasizing the company’s role in promoting better health and nutrition. She underlined that such initiatives are aligned with the needs of Bangladeshi consumers, particularly in strengthening food security, and reflect the positive impact of European businesses operating with strong governance and values.

noted that innovation at Arla begins with addressing societal needs. He highlighted that DANO Lacto Reduced is designed to tackle digestive challenges while retaining essential nutrition, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive and accessible dairy nutrition in Bangladesh.

With studies indicating that lactose intolerance affects a significant portion of the adult population in Bangladesh, DANO Lacto Reduced addresses a clear local need by significantly reducing lactose content while maintaining essential nutrients. This innovation represents a meaningful step toward making dairy nutrition more inclusive and accessible in Bangladesh. EuroCham Bangladesh welcomes initiatives such as this, which combine innovation with local relevance, and looks forward to continued engagement in promoting sustainable, consumer-focused solutions in the country.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

MCCI–Policy Exchange Bangladesh Dialogue: Improving The Investment Climate

EuroCham Chairperson Nuria López expressed an urgent need for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU while speaking as a panelist at a policy dialogue jointly organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), and Policy Exchange Bangladesh in Gulshan, where speakers highlighted market access as a critical gap in Bangladesh’s economic strategy.

The event was attended by special guest Md Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and CEO Dr M Masrur Reaz presented the keynote on “Improving the Investment Climate: Why It’s Critical for the New Government Priorities and the Upcoming National Budget,” while the programme began with a welcome address by MCCI Secretary General Farooq Ahmed. Speaking at the dialogue, Nuria López stressed that the absence of an FTA with Bangladesh’s largest export destination is already weighing on investor confidence. She said, “Do we have a free trade agreement with our major customer at this moment — the European Union? No,” adding, “We need to have, we must have, we must start right now an FTA,” and warning that “if we don’t have free trade access to our largest market, we don’t have a horizon to invest.” She further highlighted the importance of predictability for long-term investment, stating, “We don’t have predictability. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” and linked the urgency of an EU FTA directly to Bangladesh’s broader struggle to attract foreign direct investment…Read more on The Financial Express

Najifa Arshad

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

EuroCham Bangladesh Attends EU-Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF) Flagship Event

EuroCham Bangladesh Chairperson Nuria Lopez, accompanied by Vice-Chairperson Ziaur Rahman and Board Member Mostafiz Uddin, attended the high-level flagship event titled “Boosting Renewable Energy in Bangladesh – From Design to Implementation” on 20 April 2026 at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. The event was organised under the Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF), a flagship initiative of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, and the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR). Bringing together senior representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, Team Europe, international development partners, financial institutions, regulators, and private sector stakeholders, the event highlighted the growing momentum behind Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition and the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration to accelerate implementation.

The Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility aims to mobilise approximately €700 million in investments for renewable energy development in Bangladesh through blended EU–EIB financing and Team Europe cooperation. The initiative is expected to support the development of large-scale solar and wind energy projects, improve grid resilience and decentralisation, and promote innovation in areas such as battery energy storage systems and dual land use for energy and agriculture.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, followed by keynote interventions from senior government and European representatives. In his remarks, H.E. Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, emphasised that energy security has become a defining strategic priority for both Bangladesh and the European Union, underscoring the shared commitment to scaling up renewable energy deployment and strengthening long-term energy resilience.

Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, described BREF as a landmark collaboration between Bangladesh, the European Union, and EU Member States, encouraging stakeholders to “move forward boldly and harness the power of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.”

The event also featured interventions from senior representatives of the European Investment Bank, the Government of Bangladesh, and GOPA Tech, focusing on the importance of technical assistance, bankable project preparation, regulatory cooperation, and investment readiness in advancing Bangladesh’s clean energy ambitions. The Technical Assistance component under BREF, implemented by GOPA Tech, will support the preparation of bankable renewable energy projects and help strengthen institutional and technical capacities within the sector.

The programme further included a panel discussion titled “Boosting Renewable Energy in Bangladesh,” moderated by Tanzina Dilshad, Programme Manager – Energy and Environment at the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, brought together experts from financial institutions, academia, utilities, and the private sector. Discussions focused on implementation challenges, financing mechanisms, regulatory reforms, investment guarantees, and opportunities for scaling up renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in Bangladesh.

EuroCham Bangladesh welcomes the continued engagement between Bangladesh and Team Europe in advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering a more resilient, low-carbon economy. As the country continues its energy transition journey, initiatives such as BREF represent an important step toward creating an enabling environment for renewable energy investment, innovation, and long-term sustainable growth.

Nujhat Anjum Silva

Operations | EuroCham Bangladesh

Members Highlights

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh sees 34% jump in profit in 2025

According to the company’s price-sensitive disclosure and press release issued on 11 March, the multinational cement maker recorded a net profit of Tk510 crore for the year, up from Tk382 crore in 2024. Revenue also increased by 6% to Tk2,931 crore from Tk2,754 crore a year earlier, while operating profit grew 11% to Tk655 crore from Tk587 crore…Read more on The Business Standard

A Taste of Spain in Dhaka: Spanish Gastronomy Festival (1st Edition)

On the evening of 10 December 2025, Dhaka experienced a vibrant celebration of Spanish culture as the inaugural Spanish Gastronomy Festival unfolded at Edge Gallery, Gulshan 2. The event welcomed distinguished guests, partners, and culinary enthusiasts for an elegant gathering that highlighted the richness and creativity of Spain’s gastronomic heritage.

Organized by Nupami BD in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain, the festival presented a curated exploration of Spanish cuisine — blending tradition and innovation while strengthening cultural dialogue between Spain and Bangladesh. The presence of H.E. Mr. Gabriel Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru, Ambassador of Spain to Bangladesh, underscored the deepening diplomatic and cultural connections fostered through such initiatives.

A defining highlight of the evening was the live culinary showcase by renowned Basque Chef Jesús Iñigo, whose return visit to Bangladesh captivated guests once again. Known for his inventive pintxos and contemporary approach rooted in the traditions of Navarra and the Basque Country, the chef delivered an engaging performance that combined authenticity, technique, and creativity. Guests sampled an exclusive selection of his signature creations — each dish reflecting precision, premium ingredients, and refined presentation.

Beyond the cuisine, the atmosphere was elevated by thoughtful décor, warm hospitality, and meaningful cultural exchange, creating an experience that resonated with both sophistication and conviviality. The festival also reflected the spirit of collaboration between Spanish and Bangladeshi partners, with Porcelanosa Kitchens contributing to the culinary setup and enhancing the overall environment.

Supported by partners including Bay Developments Ltd, IDS Group, Indesore Group, Origin Spain, and Sheltech Group, the event illustrated a shared commitment to cultural engagement and cross-industry collaboration.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, Nupami BD is already considering future editions, aiming to further celebrate Spanish gastronomy and deepen cultural exchange — ensuring that this inaugural festival marks not only a memorable occasion, but the beginning of a lasting tradition.

El Corte Inglés Appoints Julio Herrero Pino as General Manager of its Liaison Office in Bangladesh

Mr.Julio Herrero Pino

EuroCham is pleased to inform its members of the recent appointment of Mr. Julio Herrero Pino as General Manager of the El Corte Inglés S.A. Liaison Office in Bangladesh, effective February 2026. Mr. Herrero succeeds Mr. José Manuel Martín Aguilera, who concluded a distinguished seven year tenure in the role and is now moving on to a new professional project after making a significant contribution to the consolidation of El Corte Inglés’ presence in Bangladesh.

El Corte Inglés, Spain’s and Europe’s leading department store group and a long standing benchmark in international retail and sourcing, has maintained an important operational and sourcing

base in Bangladesh through its Dhaka Liaison Office, located in Gulshan, since 2011. The
office plays a key role in supplier coordination, compliance, quality control, and long term sourcing partnerships with the Bangladeshi textile and manufacturing sector, not only for the main department stores and hypermarkets (Hipercor), but also for its most internationalized brand, Sfera, with presence in 20 countries and over 400 points of sale.

Besides garments, the new general manager expects to expand the sourcing of hard lines, such as china, tableware, decoration, pet and travel accessories, to broaden the portfolio of the office.

A seasoned international executive with deep Asia experience

Mr. Herrero brings to his new role more than 25 years of international professional experience, most of it in Asia, where he has lived and worked for over two decades. His career spans senior management positions in retail, manufacturing, renewable energy, and consumer goods, with a consistent focus on international business development, sourcing, marketing, and organizational leadership.

Before his appointment in Bangladesh, Mr. Herrero served as Deputy Director of El Corte Inglés sourcing offices in China (Shanghai and Hong Kong), based in Shanghai, where he contributed to international sourcing strategies and cross‑border operations across the region. His longstanding familiarity with Asian manufacturing ecosystems is expected to further strengthen El Corte Inglés’ engagement with Bangladeshi suppliers.

Extensive background across sectors and markets

As mentioned previously, prior to joining El Corte Inglés, Mr. Herrero occupied senior leadership roles in the renewable energy and industrial manufacturing sectors, including Director‑level positions in international companies operating across China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Earlier in his career, he held commercial and marketing management roles in the entertainment and media industry, notably with Warner Music Group, Universal Music, and Manga Films, providing him with a broad, cross‑sector perspective on global consumer markets.

Mr. Herrero began his international trajectory with institutional trade experience, having served at the Spanish Commercial Office in Norway, an early role that helped shape his long‑term focus on international trade, promotion, and economic diplomacy.

Academic credentials and international outlook

Mr. Herrero holds an MBA from the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai—one of Asia’s leading business schools—. He also completed higher education in International Marketing and Business Administration in Spain and Ireland. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and also has working knowledge of Chinese, French and Finnish, a legacy of his earlier times as a DJ in Rovaniemi, the Lappish city known for being Santa Claus’ home.

Having recently relocated from Shanghai to Dhaka, Mr. Herrero has publicly expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter and for contributing to Bangladesh’s dynamic industrial and export ecosystem, bringing with him the experience accumulated over two decades of professional life in Asia.

Continuity and transition

The Chamber would also like to acknowledge the work of Mr. José Manuel Martín Aguilera, who served as Country Manager of the Liaison Office for seven years. During his tenure, El Corte Inglés further strengthened its sourcing operations and institutional relationships in Bangladesh. His departure marks the end of an important chapter and the beginning of a new phase for the company in the country.

The EuroCham welcomes Mr. Herrero Pino to his new role and looks forward to continued collaboration with El Corte Inglés in fostering sustainable trade relations, responsible sourcing, and deeper economic ties between Europe and Bangladesh.

Auchan Retail Hosts South Asia Supplier Seminar, Focusing on Competitiveness and Regional Growth

On 9 April, Auchan Retail Dhaka Liaison Office successfully hosted its Annual South Asia Supplier Seminar, bringing together valued partners for a day of meaningful discussion, reflection, and collaboration.

The seminar highlighted key business updates, major achievements, and future plans for the region. It also served as an important platform to recognize outstanding partners who have played a vital role in contributing to the organization’s continued success.

This year’s seminar stood out with a dedicated panel discussion featuring respected industry leaders. The panel included Ms. Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh; Mr. Asif Ashraf, Managing Director of Urmi Group; and Mr. Azmat Ali Merchant, Director Marketing of Yunus Textile Mills from Pakistan. Their insights added strong value to the session.

The discussion focused on “How the business in South Asia can remain competitive” amid emerging challenges such as LDC transition, the Middle East crisis and evolving regulatory requirements. These perspectives provided a forward-looking view and helped shape a better understanding of the road ahead.

Overall, the seminar was not only about sharing business updates, but also about strengthening partnerships, exchanging ideas, and building a collective vision for sustainable growth across South Asia.

DBL Ceramics Puts Bangladesh on the Global Sustainability Map with Dual International Awards

In a remarkable achievement for Bangladesh’s manufacturing and sustainability sector, DBL Ceramics, a concern of DBL Group, has garnered prestigious international recognition at two of Asia’s most respected award platforms, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a hub for purpose-driven innovation.

Historic Global Recognition

In March 2026, DBL Ceramics made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi ceramics brand to receive international accolades on the global stage, winning:

Bronze at Spikes Asia 2026 in the Creative B2B category
Silver in the Sustainable Lotus category at ADFEST 2026, one of Asia’s leading advertising festivals

Both awards celebrate the company’s groundbreaking TileChalk initiative – an innovative solution that transforms ceramic manufacturing waste into non-toxic, eco-friendly classroom chalk for underserved schools across Bangladesh.

Innovation Meets Social Purpose

The TileChalk initiative exemplifies the kind of circular economy innovation that resonates strongly with European sustainability values. After six months of research, DBL Ceramics discovered that residue clay – a byproduct of their water recycling process in tile production – could be transformed into high-quality classroom chalk.

Rather than disposing of this material in landfills, which would pose environmental and health risks, the company partnered with local chalk manufacturers to develop a formula that is:

Cost-effective – cheaper to produce than traditional chalk
Eco-friendly – made entirely from recycled ceramic waste
Safe for children – dust-minimized and classroom-tested

Scaling Impact

The initiative has already reached over 4,000 schools across Bangladesh through partnerships with education NGOs, addressing two critical challenges simultaneously:

Environmental sustainability – diverting industrial waste from landfills
Educational access – providing affordable, safe writing materials to underserved schools at a time when the local chalk industry struggles with skyrocketing raw material costs

A Model for Sustainable Manufacturing

DBL Ceramics’ achievement offers valuable insights into how manufacturing companies can integrate sustainability into their core business models while creating measurable social impact.

The TileChalk initiative demonstrates that:

Waste can become opportunity through innovative thinking
Local challenges can inspire global solutions
Purpose-driven innovation can achieve international recognition while serving communities

Bangladesh on the Global Stage

These awards mark a significant milestone not just for DBL Group, but for Bangladesh’s entire manufacturing sector. As the country continues to attract European investment and strengthen trade ties with the EU, success stories like TileChalk showcase Bangladesh’s capacity for world-class innovation that aligns with global sustainability goals.

DBL Group’s commitment to transforming industrial byproducts into educational resources reflects the kind of circular economy thinking that is central to the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Looking Forward

As DBL Ceramics continues to scale the TileChalk initiative, the company has positioned it as an open-source initiative, inviting others in the industry to adopt similar practices. This collaborative approach to sustainability innovation bodes well for Bangladesh’s future as a responsible manufacturing destination.

For European businesses operating in or considering investment in Bangladesh, DBL Ceramics’ international recognition serves as a testament to the country’s evolving industrial landscape – one where innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility converge to create lasting value.

CMA CGM Bangladesh Drives Coastal Resilience with Mangrove Planting in the Sundarbans

CMA CGM Bangladesh has undertaken a mangrove planting initiative on GUM Island in the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, spanning approximately 10,000 km². The region acts as a natural buffer, protecting coastal communities from erosion, storm surges and rising sea levels.

Held on 2 April 2026, the initiative brought together CMA CGM employees and customers from the reefer and jute sectors, including Organic Shrimps Export Ltd, Japan Fast Trade Ltd and Sagar Jute Spinning Mills Ltd. Guided by local community specialists, participants planted 210 mangrove saplings to support biodiversity and strengthen natural shoreline defenses.

Mangrove forests play a vital role in stabilizing fragile coastal embankments and sequestering carbon, making their restoration a priority for climate adaptation in low-lying regions like Bangladesh. The collaborative nature of the initiative, bringing together shipping stakeholders and local expertise, illustrates how supply chain partnerships can extend beyond commercial objectives to deliver tangible environmental outcomes.

The initiative forms part of the CMA CGM Group’s broader “Acting for Planet” CSR strategy, which includes mangrove restoration projects in China, the Philippines, Madagascar and Martinique.

Operating globally, CMA CGM integrates biodiversity protection into its activities by reducing environmental impact, conserving fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and forests, and supporting endangered species including cetaceans, turtles and seabirds. The Group also supports scientific research and innovation through partnerships with organizations including Fondation de la Mer, Ifremer and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Control Union Bangladesh Hosts Country’s First-Ever Carbon-Neutral Sustainability Conference

Dhaka, Bangladesh — November 26, 2025 — Control Union Bangladesh marked a major milestone in the country’s sustainability journey by hosting the nation’s first-ever carbon-neutral sustainability conference at the Sheraton Dhaka. With the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Together,” the landmark event drew over 50+ brands and more than 500 guests, partners, industry leaders, and sustainability practitioners from across Bangladesh and abroad.

The conference highlighted Control Union’s continued commitment to advancing responsible business practices across supply chains. Regional and local Control Union textiles experts were present to share emerging trends in global sustainability, offering insights on how businesses can collaborate with Control Union to accelerate their transition toward more sustainable and resilient operations.

Leading the Control Union team are Mr. Dirk Teichert, Regional Chairman for Asia Pacific; Dr. Binay Kumar Choudhury, Regional Technical Lead for Asia Pacific; and Md. Fakhrul Islam Khan, Managing Director of Control Union Bangladesh.

A special session spotlighted several trailblazers—some of the first entities in Bangladesh to achieve certification under leading global standards, including Global G.A.P., OBP (Ocean Bound Plastic), Nativa, and USDA-NOP. Their achievements demonstrated Bangladesh’s growing leadership in areas such as regenerative agriculture, responsible sourcing, organic production, and plastic recovery.

Prominent voices from across the sustainability ecosystem joined the event, including representatives from Better Cotton Initiative and Regenagri. Their shared perspectives reflected a unified message: the world is changing rapidly, and businesses must innovate, adapt, and invest in solutions that reduce environmental impact while strengthening long-term competitiveness.

Headline Speaker Mr. Inamul Khan, Acting president, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) says; International buyers are now prioritizing factories to expand their use of renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and modernize production systems. However, implementing these transformations requires significant investment, which is still a major challenge for many factories due to high interest rates and limitations in long-term green financing.

and Keynote speech given by Nicolaas Jan (Koos) Dijkstra Head of Trade and Development, Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Bangladesh

Speakers emphasized the urgency of responsible action as climate challenges intensify globally. They called on industries to adopt more regenerative practices, increase transparency, and embrace new technologies that minimize waste and emissions. The conference aimed to empower businesses to move beyond compliance and toward proactive leadership in sustainability.

The carbon-neutral status of the event underscored Control Union’s own commitment to environmental stewardship—demonstrating that meaningful impact begins with responsible choices at every level.

Control Union Bangladesh’s Sustainability Conference now stands as a benchmark for forward-looking, collaborative, and environmentally responsible events in the country. The organization reaffirmed its dedication to supporting businesses across Bangladesh as they work toward a more sustainable future—together.

Control Union is a leading certification, inspection and testing company head office is in Netherlands. They are pioneer in the field of Organic, Recycling, Textile, Food Safety, Social Compliance, Environmental Services. They are giving their service more than 100 years in 80+ countries and with more than 274 offices worldwide.

Rahman’s Chambers: Recent Highlights and Achievements

Key Recognitions and Awards

We are proud to share that our Head of Chambers, Barrister Mohammed Forrukh Rahman, has been appointed as an arbitrator at the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (SHIAC) for the 2026–2031 term. This landmark achievement transcends a personal milestone; it reflects recognition at the highest echelon of international dispute resolution. SHIAC stands among the elite “Top 5” arbitral institutions in Mainland China and is globally acknowledged as a premier Asia-Pacific arbitration hub, operating in a city ranked among the world’s most preferred arbitration seats.

Furthermore, our firm continues to be recognized internationally, maintaining our ranked status in the prestigious Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 guides. This year marks our 10th consecutive year of acknowledgment in Shipping and Dispute Resolution, alongside our 8th year in Corporate & Finance, and a new spotlight recognition for our Intellectual Property practice. More details can be found in the following link: https://chambers.com/law-firm/rahmans-chambers-asia-pacific-
8:22827220

Recent Work Highlights

Labour and Employment Matters

We recently advised a commercial airline on modernizing their employment agreements and service bonds for specialized aviation personnel. We ensured a careful balance between protecting the airline’s significant training investments and maintaining strict statutory compliance with the Bangladesh Labour Act.

Admiralty, Maritime Dispute Resolution

Our maritime dispute resolution team recently established a unique legal precedent in the Bangladesh Admiralty Court. Representing a foreign charterer, we successfully navigated a complex jurisdictional matter to secure a vessel arrest to obtain pre-award security, despite a pending London Arbitration. This marks a unique, very first-of-its-kind legal precedent in Bangladesh, establishing a vital new avenue for securing foreign arbitration claims locally and facilitating a prompt out-of-court settlement for our client.

Marine Insurance

Following a vessel fire, our Chambers successfully assisted our client in releasing L/C-backed cargo detained at a foreign port. By taking decisive legal action, we compelled the local insurer to provide an internationally recognized security guarantee for General Average and Salvage, preventing the loss of perishable goods.

Intellectual Property Matters

Supporting local enterprise, we managed the complete trademark lifecycle for an emerging motorcycle brand. By navigating the required regulatory filings, we ensured their corporate identity achieved official statutory protection through the final Certification of Registration.

VAT, Tax and Customs Transactions

We guided a prominent packaging manufacturer through the complex regulatory process of synchronizing their RJSC director changes with their Customs Bond License, resolving a critical compliance bottleneck and ensuring uninterrupted commercial operations.

Annual Family Day

Taking time to celebrate our close-knit community, Rahman’s Chambers recently hosted our Annual Family Day at Chuti Resort in Gazipur. It was a wonderful opportunity for our legal professionals, staff, and their families to step away from the office, connect over sports, and enjoy a day of outdoor recreation together.

For further insights, legal updates, and resources, please visit Rahman Chambers website at www.rahmansc.com.

Rahman’s Chambers Offices:

Headquarters

Address: Suite 5B, 4th Floor, Ataturk Tower, 22,

Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Banani Commercial Area,

Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh.

Motijheel Office

Address: 8th floor, Malek Mansion, 128,

Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka-1000

Chittagong Office

Address: 7th Floor, Al Madina Tower 88/89,

Agrabad C/A Chattogram-4100, Bangladesh.

SCBA Building

Address: Room No. 11006, 11th Floor,

Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy Building,

Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association Ramna, Dhaka-1000

Newsletter March April 2026

Newsletter At A Glance

In The News This Month!

Bangladesh’s LDC Graduation Debate Shifts Toward Readiness and Reform

EU–Bangladesh Trade Relations and Emerging Agreement Pathways

March–April 2026

Middle East Conflict, Energy Strain and Logistics Pressures Test Bangladesh’s Trade Resilience

Middle East Conflict and Global Trade Risk

Timeline: Escalating Pressure on Bangladesh’s Trade and Energy Sector in 2026

March-April 2026 Developments Around the Bangladesh–US Reciprocal Trade Agreement

Bangladesh’s Labour Law Reform: A New Compliance Priority for EU Businesses

National Budget FY 2026–27: Investment Climate, Tax Reform, and Revenue Pressures Shape Pre-Budget Discussions

Feature Article

Energy Crisis in Bangladesh Pushes Industrial Solar From Sustainability Agenda to Resilience Strategy

How Hybrid Sukuk Bond can play pivotal role to materialize the dreamt Infrastructural Projects like 2nd Padma and Jamuna Bridge of the Government

EU’s Changing Apparel Market and Bangladesh’s Export Challenges

Advocacy with Working Groups

Tax, Trade and Customs Working Group | EuroCham Engages with NBR on Pre-Budget Priorities for FY 2026–27

Events

EuroCham Leadership Holds Meeting with BIDA Executive Chairman

EuroCham Bangladesh Holds 10th Board Meeting

EuroCham Bangladesh Hosts Virtual Stakeholder Consultation on Renewable Energy Financing for SME Garment Factories

EuroCham Chairperson Attends Italian Design Day Dinner Hosted by the Embassy of Italy and ISHO

EuroCham Chairperson Attended Nordic Business Networking Reception and Presentation on “Bangladesh: Geopolitical Reality & Geoeconomic Opportunities Ahead”

EuroCham Chairperson Attended Spanish Musical Concert on the Occasion of Spanish Language Day

EuroCham Attends Launch of Arla Foods Bangladesh’s DANO Lacto Reduced

MCCI–Policy Exchange Bangladesh Dialogue: Improving The Investment Climate

EuroCham Bangladesh Attends EU-Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF) Flagship Event

Members Highlights

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh sees 34% jump in profit in 2025

A Taste of Spain in Dhaka: Spanish Gastronomy Festival (1st Edition)

El Corte Inglés Appoints Julio Herrero Pino as General Manager of its Liaison Office in Bangladesh

A seasoned international executive with deep Asia experience

Extensive background across sectors and markets

Academic credentials and international outlook

Continuity and transition

Auchan Retail Hosts South Asia Supplier Seminar, Focusing on Competitiveness and Regional Growth

DBL Ceramics Puts Bangladesh on the Global Sustainability Map with Dual International Awards

CMA CGM Bangladesh Drives Coastal Resilience with Mangrove Planting in the Sundarbans

Control Union Bangladesh Hosts Country’s First-Ever Carbon-Neutral Sustainability Conference

Rahman’s Chambers: Recent Highlights and Achievements

Key Recognitions and Awards

Recent Work Highlights Labour and Employment Matters

Admiralty, Maritime Dispute Resolution

Marine Insurance

Intellectual Property Matters

VAT, Tax and Customs Transactions

Annual Family Day

Trade and Business Statistics: Bangladesh Bank Data

Privacy policy

© 2024 European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh

Recent Work Highlights

Labour and Employment Matters