Dhaka: Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today emphasized the need for Bangladesh to enhance the capacity of various business organizations and human resources to fully capitalize on the benefits of the country's impending graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) status. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commerce adviser made these remarks while inaugurating a three-day National Workshop on WTO Dispute Settlement at a city hotel. The event was presided over by Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin, with Director at Legal Affairs Division of World Trade Organization (WTO) Jorge Castro speaking on the occasion. Additional Secretary, WTO Wing of the Ministry of Commerce Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury provided the welcome remarks. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the WTO, the workshop is supported by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Bashir also indicated that Bangladesh is set to graduate from the LDCs in November 2026, describing this transition as a 'golden opportunity' for the nation. He noted that as Bangladesh's external trade environment evolves post-graduation, it will face new challenges, particularly in terms of export diversification. "Our exports are not diversified as our export basket is very dependent on a single product," he added, highlighting the need for developing soft skills to sustain and grow trade volumes. Bashir further outlined that Bangladesh would pursue bilateral and multilateral negotiations to establish Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) and engage with regional business groups such as the EU, SASEC, and ASEAN. He acknowledged that disputes might arise during negotiations with different countries and regional business groups. The workshop aims to educate participants on the basic characteristics of the WTO dispute settlement system, the main actors involved, and the core principles of General Agreement on Tariffs an d Trade (GATT). It also explores decision-making processes and dispute-related issues within the WTO framework. Bashir expressed hope that the participants would gain insights into the role of WTO dispute settlement in the multilateral trading system, understand the stages of dispute settlement procedures, and learn the roles of complainants, respondents, and third parties in disputes. He emphasized the importance of the WTO's dispute settlement system in ensuring security and predictability in the multilateral trading system, particularly for developing countries including LDCs. The workshop seeks to equip participants with knowledge about the structures, procedures, and application of rules in the WTO context. Officials from the Ministry of Commerce, WTO representatives, government organizations, business sector representatives, and academicians from various universities are attending the workshop.
