The discussions were held when the European Commission-Bangladesh Joint Commission Specialised Sub-Group on Trade Development, Capacity Building and Economic Cooperation met at the commerce ministry.

The specialised sub-group was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Elias Ahmed and Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh Esko Kentrschynskyj.

A wide range of issues, including trade policy matters and EC-funded trade-related capacity development projects, were discussed at the meeting.

Both sides agreed on the importance of moving the Doha Work Programme forward, bearing in mind the concerns of least developed countries (LDCs) as expressed at the LDC Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka and Dakar which Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury and EC Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy attended.

Bangladesh and EC also exchanged views on the challenges of the post-MFA era and the appropriate trade policy responses, which could be envisaged.

The EC also emphasised the need for a positive business and investment climate in Bangladesh. The role of regional and bilateral trading arrangements was also discussed.

A post-MFA Action Programme (PMAP) initiated by commerce ministry was also discussed at the meeting.