The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reaffirmed that Bangladesh will continue receiving technical assistance even after its transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026 — a move expected to reshape the country’s global trade dynamics.
Underscoring the WTO’s long-term commitment to supporting the country’s smooth transition, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said Bangladesh’s access to the organisation’s training and capacity-building programmes “will remain available beyond graduation”.
In an online interview with BSS, Zhang said that Bangladesh currently benefits from a broad range of programmes under the WTO’s Technical Assistance and Training Plan, which equips developing economies with the tools needed to expand and navigate international trade.
The WTO also collaborates with various international institutions to further enhance trade-related capacities, he added.
While speaking about the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), the WTO official described Bangladesh as one of the major beneficiaries of the initiative, which was specifically designed to help LDCs build competitive strength in global markets.
The EIF is now moving into its third phase, and Bangladesh will continue to enjoy its benefits for another five years following graduation, he said.
Through EIF-backed projects, Bangladesh has strengthened its food processing industries and developed a roadmap to diversify and upgrade its ready-made garment sector, he added.
Zhang further highlighted Bangladesh’s strong standing under the WTO’s Aid for Trade Initiative.
Between 2006 and 2023, Bangladesh received about US$23 billion under the programme, placing it among the top ten global recipients. This support aims to improve trade infrastructure and expand the country’s capacity to engage in global markets.
He also pointed to Bangladesh’s robust domestic institutional setup, particularly the WTO Reference Centre at the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), which plays a key role in providing trade-related data and documentation.
However, Zhang emphasised that Bangladesh must reassess its engagement strategy within the WTO once it leaves the LDC category.
Having long participated as part of the LDC Group, the country will now need to forge new alliances and build coalitions across a wider spectrum of WTO members to safeguard and promote its trade interests, he said.
Bangladesh, a WTO member since 1995, is gearing up for a new phase in its economic journey.
With LDC graduation on the horizon, the country is actively exploring strategies to maintain competitiveness from widening its export base to considering entry into major regional blocs such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
The transition, experts say, will bring both opportunities and challenges, but continued support from the WTO is expected to provide Bangladesh with a stronger foundation to navigate the post-LDC landscape.
