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Export Market

Bangladesh

ISO: BD / BGD

Country Profile

Capital Dhaka
Population 169.8M
GDP $450.1B (2024)
GDP per Capita $2,593
Income Level Lower-Middle Income
Currency Bangladeshi taka (BDT ৳)
Language Bengali
Timezone UTC+06:00
Region Asia · Southern Asia

Trade Partners

Bangladesh Exports To

  • USA 16.0%
  • Germany 15.0%
  • UK 8.0%
  • Spain 7.0%
  • Poland 6.0%

Key exports: garments, footwear, fabric, textiles, trunks and cases (2023)

Bangladesh Imports From

  • China 34.0%
  • India 17.0%
  • Indonesia 5.0%
  • Singapore 5.0%
  • Malaysia 4.0%

Key imports: refined petroleum, cotton fabric, natural gas, cotton, fabric (2023)

Economic Overview

one of the fastest growing emerging market economies; strong economic rebound following COVID-19; significant poverty reduction; exports dominated by textile industry; weakened exports and remittances resulted in declining foreign exchange reserves and 2022 IMF loan request

Government: parliamentary republic

UK Trade Status

No FTA

There is currently no free trade agreement between the UK and Bangladesh. Standard WTO terms apply.

Trade Barriers

8 active barriers affecting UK exporters

Tax uncertainty affects profitability of UK businesses in Bangladesh

Bangladesh often brings ad-hoc changes in the tax rate to meet the government revenue targets. This makes it difficult for UK businesses to understand future tax liabilities, and affects their business planning and profitability. The lack of certainty in the …

Reported: 25 Nov 2020

Supplementary duty applied in Bangladesh affecting UK exporters of consumer goods

A supplementary duty is applied on mass consumer products such as shampoos, skin cream and lotions in Bangladesh. This affects UK exports and places additional burdens on UK businesses manufacturing these products in Bangladesh.

Sectors: Consumer and retail

Reported: 29 Aug 2019

Ineffective enforcement of intellectual property rights in Bangladesh

An effective monitoring process is needed to protect intellectual property rights. Effective application of registration at customs is also needed.

Sectors: Consumer and retail

Reported: 29 Aug 2019

Applications for 2014 Cross Border Higher Education Act in Bangladesh on hold

This affects UK organisations wishing to invest in higher education Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Ministry of Education passed the Cross Border Higher Education Bill (CBHE Act 2014), enabling overseas Higher Education (HE) organisations to establish and operate branch campuses and study …

Sectors: Education and training

Reported: 27 Jun 2019

Lack of clarity in application of customs valuation rules

This affects UK goods imported into Bangladesh. Implemented in 2000, the Customs Valuation (Determination of Value for Imported Goods) Rules in Bangladesh accepted the transaction value of imports for customs valuation, with some exceptions. However the Customs Authority in Bangladesh …

Reported: 13 Jun 2019

View all 8 barriers on GOV.UK →

Geographic Region

South Asia

Trading Bloc Memberships

Bangladesh is a member of the following trade agreements and economic blocs.

SAFTA South Asia Free Trade Area Free Trade Area SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Economic Union

Export Guidance

Relevant guidance for exporting to Bangladesh.

Start Your Export Journey

Export to the EU after Brexit Start exporting from the UK Manage your export compliance

Also in This Region

🇦🇫 Afghanistan 🇧🇹 Bhutan 🇮🇳 India 🇲🇻 Maldives 🇳🇵 Nepal 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Official Resources

Government export support for Bangladesh.

great.gov.uk Market Guide → GOV.UK Country Information →
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