B Mirror Report:  The European Union (EU) has expressed strong interest in further expanding trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh, stressing the importance of a transparent and business-friendly environment to boost economic engagement.

The commitment was reiterated during a meeting between EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir held at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday (19 May 2026), according to a press release.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral trade relations and explore new investment opportunities, with particular emphasis on reducing non-tariff barriers, simplifying import-export procedures, and improving overall trade facilitation.

The Commerce Minister described the EU as one of Bangladesh’s most important trading partners and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to policy and institutional reforms aimed at increasing exports and attracting foreign investment. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline trade procedures, including the publication of the Import Policy Order for stakeholder feedback on the Ministry of Commerce website.

EU Ambassador Michael Miller praised the government’s initiatives to improve the investment climate, noting that while some complex trade issues would take time to resolve, continued dialogue and cooperation could lead to long-term progress. He also assured that the EU and its business community remain ready to support Bangladesh with technical expertise and constructive engagement.

Both sides expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and joint initiatives would help turn shared priorities into concrete outcomes for expanding trade and investment ties. Senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce were also present at the meeting.