Australian duty benefit to continue: BGMEA

Australia will continue to provide duty free access to Bangladesh's products even after it makes the LDC graduation in 2026, said a top leader of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today.

This was assured at a meeting between the BGMEA and the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra in July 21 this year, said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan.

Gary Cowan, first assistant secretary to the DFAT's North and South Asia Division, gave the assurance during the meeting, Faruque told The Daily Star over WhatsApp.

A BGMEA delegation attended the meeting jointly hosted by the Bangladesh high commission to Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in Sydney.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Australian brands and retailers, and ACCI members.

Australia is one of Bangladesh's non-traditional export destinations, receiving garments worth $1.16 billion last fiscal year, which was less than half a billion dollars 10 years ago, the BGMEA said in a statement.