Bangladesh will continue to receive substantial economic and technical support from the World Trade Organization (WTO) even after it graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, the organisation has confirmed.
In an online interview with BSS, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said Bangladesh would retain access to the WTO’s technical assistance programmes beyond graduation. He noted that the organisation works closely with other international bodies to strengthen trade capacity in developing economies, and Bangladesh currently benefits from multiple initiatives under the WTO’s Technical Assistance and Training Plan.
Zhang highlighted that Bangladesh remains a major beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a programme designed to help LDCs integrate more effectively into global trade. Under the EIF’s third phase, Bangladesh will continue to receive support for five years after graduation. The programme has already helped the country develop food-processing capabilities and chart strategies to diversify its apparel sector and move up the value chain.
Bangladesh has also gained significantly from the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative, receiving US$23 billion between 2006 and 2023—placing it among the top 10 recipients globally. The scheme helps developing nations strengthen trade-related infrastructure and capacity.
Zhang further noted Bangladesh’s strong domestic institutional framework for WTO-related activities, including the WTO Reference Centre at the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), which provides access to key trade documents and data.
However, he cautioned that graduation will require a shift in Bangladesh’s engagement strategy at the WTO. Having long operated mainly within the LDC Group, the country will need to forge new strategic partnerships across the organisation’s diverse membership to navigate the post-graduation landscape effectively.
