Germany was one of the first European countries to recognise Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1972, establishing diplomatic relations, and is highly respected as a major export market and reliable donor.

The priorities of German development cooperation with Bangladesh include climate and energy, good governance, displacement and migration, vocational education and training, and sustainable supply chains. A particular focus is placed on promoting adequate working conditions as well as compliance with environmental standards in the textile industry. Germany also provides humanitarian assistance to support the Rohingya who have fled from Myanmar. At the political level, Germany is campaigning in this context for a sustainable solution in Bangladesh as long as the conditions for a voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar are not in place.

In 2024, the volume of bilateral trade rose to approx. nine billion euro, with German exports seeing a marked decrease and imports increasing. Germany was again Bangladesh’s second-largest bilateral export market in 2024; the EU as a whole is the prime export destination. This is encouraged by EU tariff preferences granted under the Everything but Arms arrangement. Over 90% of exports from Bangladesh to Germany are textiles. Bangladesh imports machinery as well as chemical products and electrical goods from Germany.

In recent years, the number of Bangladeshi students attending German universities has steadily increased. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and other organisations award numerous scholarships to students and young researchers each year in order to promote academic exchange between the two countries. Many of these scholarship recipients join alumni associations.