The United Kingdom will continue to provide Bangladesh with duty-free trade benefits even after the country graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook has said.

Currently, 99.8 percent of Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free access to the UK market, she said. The facility will remain in place for three years after Bangladesh’s LDC graduation, after which 92 percent of products, including ready-made garments, will continue to receive duty-free access.

Cook made the remarks at a session of the Bay of Bengal Conversation at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (October 4).

She said the relationship between Bangladesh and the UK has moved beyond traditional development cooperation and evolved into a modern strategic partnership, reflecting Bangladesh’s growing role on the global stage.

The British high commissioner said the two countries have strong economic ties, with the UK being one of Bangladesh’s major investors. British companies have contributed to Bangladesh’s economic transformation and created significant employment opportunities in sectors ranging from finance and fashion to education and energy.

“As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the LDC category, our key objective is to make the transition smooth and sustainable,” she said.

Cook also identified security cooperation as another important area of the bilateral partnership, built on mutual trust and shared objectives. She said Bangladesh and the UK share common interests in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

She added that the UK recognises Bangladesh’s responsibility and role in the Bay of Bengal, a region of growing strategic importance.

On the Rohingya crisis, Cook said the UK would continue to stand with Bangladesh, which is hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees. She said her country remains committed to keeping international attention focused on the crisis and working towards its only sustainable solution.

According to Cook, that solution is the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar when conditions become conducive for their repatriation.