Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for the rapid start of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations to continue duty-free access to Bangladesh's largest export market, the European Union (EU). He said it will be crucial to secure existing trade benefits in Bangladesh's largest export market when the current duty-free access ends in the coming years.

He made the call during a courtesy call on European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham) Chairperson Nuria Lopez at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday (February 1). The meeting was also attended by European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller.

The meeting discussed in detail the need for reforms to increase European investment in Bangladesh, facilitate and enhance bilateral trade relations, and create a business-friendly environment. The upcoming national elections and the deployment of international observers to monitor the elections also came up.