Dhaka:Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, has advocated for a broad-based, non-partisan political consensus among all political parties to ensure the implementation of Bangladesh's commitments during the three-year extended transition period before its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Debapriya emphasized the necessity of fulfilling international commitments with dedicated political leadership and a shared national understanding that economic reforms must persist beyond political changes. Speaking at a media dialogue titled "Bangladesh's LDC Graduation UN Decision and Our Observations" held at the CPD office, he described the situation as an unprecedented opportunity to establish a national consensus across political lines.
Dr. Debapriya warned that failure to honor these commitments could severely damage Bangladesh's credibility as an international partner, impacting its trade and economic relations, ability to negotiate free trade agreements, attract foreign direct investment, and pursue strategic interests such as Rohingya repatriation and regional stability.
He stressed that the LDC transition agenda should be seen as a national priority rather than a government-specific program, as it aligns with political manifestos, legal reforms, structural economic changes, and efforts to reduce socio-economic inequality. Implementing these commitments could also enhance public confidence through tangible economic and institutional reforms.
During the extended transition period, focus should be on strengthening economic foundations, improving governance, ensuring reliable national statistics, and preparing domestic businesses for the post-LDC environment. Dr. Debapriya highlighted the need to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the policy-making process due to the challenges they will face post-graduation.
On the international front, Bangladesh's ability to fulfill its commitments will affect its negotiating position in future trade agreements and its capacity to garner international support for national interests, including the Rohingya issue. Maintaining partnerships for peace and security in the Bay of Bengal is also crucial.
Dr. Debapriya cautioned that inaction could lead to a precarious economic situation, urging political leaders to establish a common national roadmap for a smooth and sustainable LDC graduation. The dialogue, chaired by CPD Executive Director Dr. Nazneen Ahmed, also saw participation from CPD Distinguished Fellow Professor Mustafizur Rahman and CPD Additional Director Towfiqul Islam Khan.