A six-member delegation of the European Parliament has reached Dhaka on a three-day visit to get first-hand information on the country’s trade with Europe.
The delegation has already held meetings with heads of European missions and labor leaders of the country.
The EU delegation is scheduled to meet civil society members and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) representatives on Monday.
Vice-president of the European Parliament Heidi Hotula leads the delegation, said a circular published on the website of the European Parliament.
Between 18 and 20 July, Trade Committee members will discuss Bangladesh’s status as a beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms trade preference scheme through which all Bangladeshi exports (apart from arms and ammunition) can enter the EU duty- and quota-free, said a news release on European Union parliament.
The members of European parliament (MEP) will meet a number of ministers including the ministers of commerce, labour, justice and foreign affairs, and will discuss with relevant parliamentary committees. They will also hold discussions with employee associations and visit a textile and a pharmaceutical warehouse to assess its level of compliance.
This is the second visit by the European Union this year. Earlier, the EU officials came to Dhaka on a four-day visit last March. The delegation visited Bangladesh to review the status of EBA, EU’s special trade facility granted to Bangladesh. The EU delegation also reviewed various steps taken by the Bangladesh government in upholding labour and human rights.
