The Government of Bangladesh has initiated steps to seek a deferral of its graduation from the United Nations’ Least Developed Country (LDC) category, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has confirmed. The measures, launched by the newly formed government, aim to address domestic economic challenges and secure continuity of key trade benefits ahead of the scheduled graduation date.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister indicated that the Ministry of Commerce was working in coordination with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on preparing the formal request, a priority long urged by national business associations. He noted that while there was no immediate requirement to submit a formal application in the early days of the new administration, preparatory work had already begun.
The minister also addressed recent sluggishness in export performance, highlighting the country’s heavy reliance on a narrow product mix, with approximately 85 per cent of shipments concentrated in a single category. He emphasised that diversification of export products and markets would be crucial to reduce vulnerability and strengthen economic resilience.
In addition, the minister pointed to global trade uncertainties, including abrupt shifts in U.S. tariff policies, as contributing factors to the current slowdown, but expressed confidence that proactive government support for entrepreneurs could reverse the trend.
Turning to investment climate and job creation, he stressed that stability was essential to attract both domestic and foreign investment. With an estimated 2–2.2 million new entrants into the labour market each year, he warned that stagnant investment trends over the past few years could exert pressure on employment growth.
Bangladesh remains scheduled to graduate from LDC status on 24th November 2026, after fulfilling all three UN criteria — per capita income, human assets and economic vulnerability — through consecutive reviews. Although graduation is widely considered an important development milestone, business groups have voiced concerns over the potential loss of trade preferences and other support measures, fuelling renewed calls for a deferment.
