EU and G77 Reaffirm Support for Bangladesh's Smooth LDC Graduation

The commitment was reiterated during separate meetings at the United Nations Headquarters between Bangladesh's Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir, EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the EU Delegation, and Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Chair of the G77 and China's Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations.

 

The meetings were attended by State Minister for Planning Jonayed Saki, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, President of the Footwear, Leather Goods and Accessories Exporters' Association of Bangladesh (FLGAB) Syed Nasim Manzur, and President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan.

 

During the discussions, the commerce minister outlined Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period. He argued that additional time is needed to address ongoing economic and political transitions, global economic uncertainty, energy sector challenges, and the successful implementation of structural reforms.

 

He also highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening good governance, reinforcing the financial sector, improving infrastructure, increasing domestic resource mobilization, and creating a more investment-friendly environment.

 

The minister said the proposed extension would help consolidate reform efforts, address infrastructure constraints, enhance industrial competitiveness, and ensure that Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status is smooth, sustainable, and irreversible.

 

Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis praised Bangladesh's commitment to good governance and sustainable development. He welcomed ongoing discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the European Union and reaffirmed the EU's continued support for Bangladesh's successful LDC graduation. He also emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between the public and private sectors throughout the transition process.

 

Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre described Bangladesh's case for extending the preparatory period as compelling and well-founded. She commended the government's pragmatic reform agenda and reaffirmed the G77's support for Bangladesh. She also proposed organizing a special briefing for G77 member states on Bangladesh's LDC graduation strategy, a proposal that was welcomed by the Bangladeshi delegation.

 

Following the meetings, ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky described the discussions with the EU delegation as highly productive. He said the European Union had once again assured Bangladesh of its continued support to ensure a smooth, sustainable, and stable transition from LDC status.