Regional Trading Arrangements: Opportunities and Pitfalls for Bangladesh

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.