Dhaka, Aug. 1 -- Bangladesh has secured a 20 percent tariff rate after final talks with the US -- comparable to its key apparel-sector competitors such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Indonesia, which received rates between 19% and 20%.

"As a result, Bangladesh's relative competitiveness in apparel exports remains unaffected," Bangladesh's Chief Adviser's Press Wing said in a statement on Friday.

"We negotiated carefully to ensure that our commitments aligned with our national interests and capacity," said Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh's National Security Advisor and lead negotiator.

"Protecting our apparel industry was a top priority, but we also focused our purchase commitments on U.S. agricultural products. This supports our ...