The European Union (EU) and the Group of 77 and China (G-77) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Bangladesh in ensuring a smooth, sustainable, and stable transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
The assurance was given during separate meetings at the United Nations headquarters between Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the EU Delegation, and Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre, chair of the G-77 and China and permanent representative of Uruguay to the UN.
During the discussions, the commerce minister presented the rationale for Bangladesh’s request to extend its LDC graduation preparatory period by an additional three years.
He explained that the extra time is essential to navigate ongoing economic and political transitions, global economic uncertainties, energy sector challenges, and to ensure the successful implementation of structural reforms.
The minister highlighted the government’s firm commitment to establishing good governance, strengthening the financial sector, developing infrastructure, increasing domestic resource mobilisation, and fostering an investment-friendly environment.
He further noted that the proposed extension would help consolidate reform activities, address infrastructural bottlenecks, enhance industrial competitiveness, and make the graduation process irreversible.
Ambassador Lambrinidis praised the government’s dedication to good governance and sustainable development. Welcoming the commencement of discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the EU, he reiterated the bloc’s continued support for a smooth transition.
He also underscored the importance of closer partnerships between the public and private sectors in this process.
Similarly, Ambassador Lasserre described Bangladesh’s arguments for extending the preparatory period as “strong and acceptable”.
She commended the government’s pragmatic reform programmes and proposed hosting a special briefing for G-77 member states on Bangladesh’s graduation strategy. The Bangladesh delegation welcomed the proposal.
Following the meetings, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky described the session with the EU delegation as “very fruitful,” noting their reaffirmed pledge to assist Bangladesh’s stable exit from the LDC list.
The Bangladesh delegation included State Minister for Planning Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh Syed Nasim Manzur, and President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan.
