Trade & Business

Alternative Market Entry Strategy Relay Briefings: KOTRA Tariff Response 119 Field Activities

What Are the Alternative Market Entry Strategy Relay Briefings?

The Alternative Market Entry Strategy Relay Briefings are a nationwide touring seminar series organized by KOTRA in response to shifts in the global trade environment — including US and EU tariff hikes, trade disputes, and supply chain restructuring. The briefings are designed to help Korean companies diversify their export markets and are conducted in conjunction with the Tariff Response 119 service, which offers company-specific consultations.

In the 2025 briefing series, Bangladesh has emerged as a standout destination — both as a China+1 alternative production base and as an export hub for EU market access via EBA (Everything But Arms) preferential tariffs. With the United States imposing tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods and the EU introducing CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), the strategic importance of Bangladesh-based alternative entry has been significantly elevated.

12 cities
Briefing Venues
2025 nationwide schedule
3,000+
Participating Companies
Cumulative attendance
24/7
Tariff Response 119
Emergency consultation hotline
Up to 60%
US Tariffs on China
2025 increase
Full rollout 2026
EU CBAM
Carbon border tariff
0% tariff
BD EU-EBA
Valid through 2029
15 countries
Alternative Markets
Priority targets
1-on-1 per company
Custom Consultations
Tariff specialists

Global Tariff Environment Shifts and the Case for Alternative Markets

The 2025 global trade environment presents a triple challenge: intensifying protectionism, supply chain restructuring, and expanding environmental regulations. This section analyzes the key tariff risks facing Korean companies and the underlying case for alternative market entry.

US Risk
Tariffs on ChinaUp to 60%
Korea ImpactChina-destined components hit
Rules of OriginTightened transshipment rules
ResponseProduction base relocation
EU Risk
CBAMFull implementation 2026
Covered ProductsSteel, cement, aluminum
GSP ChangesPreferential tariff review
ResponseEBA utilization, green transition
Bangladesh Opportunity
EU-EBADuty-free exports to EU
Labor Cost$113/month (minimum wage)
China+1Production base alternative
LDC Graduation2026 (3-year grace period)

Key Session Content of the Relay Briefings

Each relay briefing is structured across four sessions. Below is a summary of the core content covered in each session and the key Bangladesh-related implications.

Relay Briefing Program Structure
SessionTopicCore ContentBangladesh Relevance
Session 1Global Tariff TrendsUS/EU/China trade policy changesEU-EBA utilization strategy
Session 2Alternative Market EntryAnalysis of 15 priority alternative marketsBD as production base strategy
Session 3Supply Chain RestructuringChina+1 and reshoring strategiesBD EPZ/EZ introduction
Session 41-on-1 ConsultationCompany-specific tariff response planningBD entry consultation

Bangladesh's Strategic Value as an Alternative Market

This section examines the core reasons Bangladesh has emerged as a featured alternative market destination in the briefings, along with specific utilization strategies for Korean companies.

01
EU Duty-Free Export Hub (EBA Preferential Tariffs)
Under the EU's EBA (Everything But Arms) preferential tariff scheme, Bangladesh can export virtually all product categories to the EU duty-free. Even after its scheduled LDC graduation in 2026, a three-year grace period applies — preserving this benefit through 2029. Korean companies establishing production bases in Bangladesh gain EU market access at zero tariff.
02
China+1 Alternative Production Base
Driven by US tariff escalation on Chinese goods and the global supply chain de-risking trend, Bangladesh is emerging as a China+1 production alternative not only in apparel and textiles but increasingly in light manufacturing and electronics assembly. Key attractors include a minimum monthly wage of $113, an abundant labor force, and government incentives for foreign investment.
03
Non-RCEP Country Rules-of-Origin Flexibility
Bangladesh is not a member of RCEP (the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), meaning it is not subject to RCEP rules-of-origin restrictions. This gives Korean companies using Bangladesh as an export base greater flexibility in meeting rules-of-origin requirements for non-RCEP markets.
04
Utilizing Tariff Response 119
KOTRA's Tariff Response 119 is a 24/7 emergency tariff consultation hotline covering Bangladesh-related HS code verification, tariff rate inquiries, FTA/EBA preferential tariff application procedures, and certificate of origin issuance guidance. Companies attending the briefings continue to access this support through the 119 service.
Alternative Market Entry Execution Pathway
Attend Briefing
Register for relay briefing
1-on-1 Consultation
Tailored tariff specialist analysis
Market Selection
Decide on BD or other alternative market
KOTRA Linkage
Connect with KOTRA Dhaka office
Entry Execution
Export, investment, or production

The rapid shift in the global tariff environment is simultaneously a crisis and an opportunity. As US and EU protectionism intensifies and companies are forced to fundamentally reassess their export structures, Bangladesh stands out as a compelling alternative — offering EU-EBA duty-free access, low labor costs, and an abundant workforce. Companies are strongly encouraged to leverage KOTRA's Tariff Response 119 and the relay briefings to develop company-specific alternative market entry strategies.

Textile and Apparel Industry Exports to BangladeshExplore market entry strategies leveraging export touchpoints with the RMG sector.
Building a Bangladesh Buyer NetworkReview buyer identification strategies for alternative market entry.
Tariff ResponseAlternative MarketsTariff 119Trade PolicyRelay Briefing
Alternative Market Entry Strategy Relay Briefings: KOTRA Tariff Response 119 Field Activities | Dhaka Trade Portal