Welcome to the website of the EU Delegation to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The EU-Bangladesh partnership is fast-evolving and dynamic.  Last year, we celebrated 50 years of relations. As a newcomer arriving at a moment of unprecedented change, I now look forward to supporting the country’s transition and reform ambitions, underpinned by values dear to us both: good governance, democracy and respect for fundamental rights.   

The EU is the main trade partner of Bangladesh.  The country is a ready-made garment powerhouse and has made excellent use of duty- and quota-free access to the EU market, a reflection of the industriousness of its people and the appetite of the world for its products.  The next chapter in the success story of Bangladesh will be written as we help the country diversify its economy. For this, the EU is promoting greater investment - in infrastructure, in connectivity, in digitalisation and in the private sector – via the EU's Global Gateway initiative as a pathway to secure, open and sustainable economic growth. In parallel, we are boosting our business advocacy via a new EU Chamber of Commerce and will of course continue to support decent work and labour sector reforms.    

In the wider world, the EU and Bangladesh have been working together for many years to promote multilateral solutions to global challenges.  We have recently broadened our work on political matters.  We are engaging intensively on migration and have put in place a Talent Partnership to foster legal pathways while also tackling irregular migration. Our engagement on all aspects of climate change will only get stronger in the coming years in line with our shared conviction about the importance of climate mitigation and adaptation.  

The EU’s significant funding partnership with Bangladesh allows us to promote our shared policy objectives. We deliver tangible support across fields as varied as human capital development, the green transition, climate change, water and transport, public financial management, digital transformation, judicial reform, women empowerment and fundamental rights.  Our support to civil society is prominent.  Moreover, as Bangladesh grapples with the challenges posed by hosting the Rohingya refugees and recent flooding, the EU stands shoulder to shoulder with the country in providing humanitarian support. We are, equally, partnering with Bangladesh on disaster preparedness to promote durable and timely responses.

Finally, our record in building people-to-people ties is strong, with a particular focus on youth. Bangladesh is among the most important partners for EU Erasmus+ scholarships. The country also benefits from significant support to higher education institutions. 

This is a brief snapshot of EU activity in Bangladesh. Our web pages and social media channels provide far more detail. To draw from the beautiful Bangla language: শুভ পড়া (“Happy reading”).

Michael Miller

Ambassador and Head of Delegation