Dhaka: Speakers at a national dialogue today underscored the urgency of strengthening Bangladesh’s trade negotiation capacity as the country prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category in 2026.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the dialogue, ‘Reflections and Way Forward: Building National Capabilities in Trade Negotiations,’ was organized by the Ministry of Commerce with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP), financed by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
During the dialogue, speakers emphasized that building a skilled pool of trade negotiators is crucial for sustaining export growth, diversifying markets, and safeguarding Bangladesh’s interests in an increasingly competitive global trading system, said a press release here.
Addressing as the chief guest, Sk. Bashir Uddin, Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, called for institutionalising trade negotiation capacity. He stated, ‘As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from LDC status, the Trade Negotiation School will be vital in equipping our negotiators to secure the nation’s interests in a complex global trade landscape.’
Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Envoy for International Affairs, stressed that trade negotiations demand institutional change, specialist expertise, authority, and continuity to succeed.
Special Guest, Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, reaffirmed the UK’s partnership, stating that the UK is proud to support Bangladesh in building a new generation of trade negotiators and remains committed to supporting its journey toward a modern, inclusive economy.
Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, called Bangladesh’s graduation ‘a call for an economic reset.’ He highlighted the need for Bangladesh to craft new trade and investment strategies, negotiate favorable agreements, and defend its interests in global forums.
The event, chaired by Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, also recognized members of the newly formed pool of trade negotiators with certificates. This cadre is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Bangladesh’s trade interests in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums.
UNDP, through the TEPP, is supporting the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening national trade capacities by developing a dedicated pool of trade negotiators, providing specialized capacity-building programs, and facilitating technical assistance. The initiative aims to build individual skills and create institutional mechanisms for long-term sustainability of trade negotiation capacity.