Editing Team: Md. Jahirul Islam,Dr. Shah Md. Ahsan Habib ,Shahedur Rahman Shamim, Afrina Tanzin

D.Net and Oxfam, 

Summary:

Historically, Bangladesh is not very active in participating in regional trading arrangements. Starting from 1976 Bangladesh has signed 4 regional preferential trading arrangements, 1 bilateral trading arrangement, and 2 free trade area agreements. Extent of tariff liberalization under the preferential trading arrangements has been always

low and had minimum impact on the trade relations with the participating countries. Free trade area agreements which are expected to have substantial impact on trade are either in the primitive stage of formation or are yet to come into force.

The keynote paper of the National Seminar on 'Regional Trading Arrangements: Opportunities and Pitfalls for Bangladesh.' has presented by Dr. Mostafa Abid Khan, he is the deputy chief of Bangladesh Tariff Commission. The seminar chaired by the Research Director of CPD Dr. Mustafizur Rahman.