Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, Sk Bashir Uddin. — TBT Photo.

TBT DESK: As Bangladesh prepares to leave the ranks of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in 2026, policymakers, diplomats and development partners on Sunday urged urgent steps to strengthen the country’s trade negotiation capacity to protect its economic interests in a tougher global market.

The call came at a national dialogue titled “Reflections & Way Forward: Building National Capabilities in Trade Negotiations”, organised 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).

Speakers warned that graduation from LDC status, while a milestone of progress, will also strip Bangladesh of a range of trade preferences and benefits, making skilful negotiation critical to sustaining export growth and market diversification.

Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, Sk Bashir Uddin, who attended as chief guest, stressed the need to institutionalise negotiation skills. “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,” he said.

Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Envoy for International Affairs, underlined the gravity of the challenge. “Trade negotiations cannot be approached casually. They demand institutional change, specialist expertise, authority, and continuity to succeed.”

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke reaffirmed the UK’s partnership in this transition. “The UK is proud to support Bangladesh to build a new generation of trade negotiators, and we remain firmly committed to supporting its journey toward a modern, inclusive economy.”

UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller called the graduation “a call for an economic reset.” He noted: “Bangladesh must craft a new generation of trade and investment strategies, negotiate favourable agreements, and defend its interests in global forums. Central to this effort is a skilled and strategic team of trade negotiators, and I’m delighted the Ministry of Commerce has established such a pool.”

The event, chaired by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, also honoured members of the newly formed cadre of trade negotiators with certificates. Drawn from ministries, agencies, and academia, this group is expected to represent Bangladesh in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums.

Other speakers included Additional Secretary (Export Wing) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, UNDP Country Economic Adviser Owais Parray, and Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of RAPID.

Through the TEPP, UNDP and the UK Government are supporting Bangladesh to build a sustainable framework for trade negotiation capacity. This includes not only training individuals but also embedding institutional mechanisms to retain knowledge and ensure long-term continuity.

For Bangladesh, the challenge ahead is clear: to enter the post-LDC era not as a vulnerable economy exposed to external shocks, but as a confident trading nation capable of negotiating its place in an increasingly competitive world.